The Man on the Bench
Opening Scripture:
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
— Matthew 9:36 (ESV)
Good Morning.
Compassion is more than a feeling. It is love with work boots on. It’s mercy that moves. And today, I want to share a story—a modern-day parable, if you will. It’s the story of a man named Ethan and the day his plans were interrupted by compassion.
The Morning Rush
Ethan was a young professional, always on the move. One crisp fall morning, he left his apartment early, coffee in one hand, briefcase in the other. His promotion review was scheduled at 10:00 a.m. sharp. His tie was straight. His resume was perfect. He had no time to spare.
As he passed through the city square, he noticed something. Or rather, someone—an older man sitting on a bench, dirty coat, worn shoes, blank stare. A brown paper bag sat next to him. He didn’t ask for anything. He didn’t speak. But something about him whispered, “See me.”
“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.”
— Luke 10:33 (ESV)
The Tug of the Spirit
Ethan kept walking. He looked at his watch. Late. Not today.
But two steps past the bench, he stopped. Something stirred in him. He thought of his mother’s prayers, his childhood pastor’s voice, the Bible verses he had long since tucked away.
“If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
— 1 John 3:17 (ESV)
He turned around.
Compassion Interrupts Comfort
“Hey, sir… you okay?” Ethan asked gently.
The man looked up. “Name’s Harold. I’m just tired.”
Ethan sat down beside him, unsure what to say. The city roared around them, but in that moment, it was just two souls on a bench. He offered Harold his coffee. They talked. Slowly, Ethan learned Harold had lost his job, then his home, then his family connections. “Happened piece by piece,” he said.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
— Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
Ethan made a choice. He texted his boss and rescheduled the meeting. The promotion could wait. Compassion couldn’t.
From Conversation to Care
Over the next hour, Ethan listened more than he spoke. He took Harold to a nearby diner. He paid for a warm meal. Then he made some calls — to a local shelter, a health clinic, even a church outreach team he hadn’t thought about in years.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
By sunset, Harold had a warm bed, clean clothes, and a plan for the next day.
Ethan had missed a meeting, but he had gained something deeper: a heart that had remembered how to see.
Jesus, the Model of Compassion
The story of Ethan and Harold is fictional — but it reflects the truth of the Gospel. Jesus didn’t walk past the hurting. He stopped, He touched, He healed, and He wept.
“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
— Matthew 14:14 (ESV)
And on the cross, He showed the greatest compassion of all — taking our sin, our shame, our brokenness, and offering us restoration.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8 (ESV)
Let Compassion Lead You to Christ
Maybe you’ve been the one walking past. Maybe you’ve been Harold, weary and unseen. The good news is this: Jesus sees you.
He doesn’t just offer pity — He offers transformation.
The world teaches us to take care of number one. But the Gospel teaches us that God took care of us first — and now we can live lives of compassion in His name.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
— Luke 6:36 (ESV)
Today, you are invited not just to show compassion — but to receive it. From the only One who can heal your heart, restore your soul, and walk with you forever: Jesus Christ.
Closing Scripture
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
— Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
Closing Prayer
Father in Heaven,
Thank You for being a God of compassion. Thank You for seeing us when we were lost and alone. Thank You for sending Jesus — not to walk past us, but to walk with us, even to the cross.
Lord, help us to live with open eyes and soft hearts.
Teach us to stop, to listen, to care, and to act.
Remind us that interruptions are often invitations — moments when You’re calling us to love.
Forgive us for when we’ve passed by.
Heal the parts of us that have grown cold or too busy to notice the hurting around us.
Fill us with the love of Christ, that we might be a living picture of Your grace.
And if anyone today feels forgotten, remind them that they are fully known and fully loved by You.
Let them receive Your compassion — and walk in new life through faith in Jesus.
In His precious name we pray,
Amen.