The Savior's compassion is truly instructive. He stays to mercifully bless the sick, pray for the multitude, and bless the children. But remember, he had just said Behold, my time is at hand (v. 1), and now I go unto the Father (v. 4). By mortal standards, he did not have time for compassion. He had an appointment with Elohim! If he were to spend more time with the Nephites, perhaps He would keep his Father waiting. Could he just change his plans without some eternal consequence? The following fictional story is applicable.
One day, a good father and husband received an unexpected call from Church Headquarters. He was asked if he would meet with the President of the Church. The time and date were set, and he wondered about the meaning of the interview. So as not to be late, he pressed his nicest suit the night before. He left for the interview with plenty of extra time. However, as he drove on the highway, he witnessed an accident right ahead of him. There were injuries and confusion which blocked his car for an extra 20 minutes. As he finally, bypassed the scene, he hurried on for his appointment. Now he had no extra time. His speedy transit was next rewarded with a traffic citation. As the officer left his vehicle, he mumbled a few choice words and felt the anger building up inside. Arriving downtown, he could not find a parking place anywhere. Finally, he secured a spot in a pay lot 2 blocks away. In the parking lot, he noticed a single mother whose car would not start, obviously because of a dead battery. He arrived for the interview 10 minutes late.
The Prophet graciously greeted him, welcomed him into his office, and quickly accepted his apologies for being late. The interview went well. He was asked to chair a new Church committee. The committee was to oversee the Church's international efforts to help those in need. Before accepting the call as chair of the Church's new Compassionate Service Committee, he was instructed to discuss the matter with his wife and call the Prophet back. Thrilled with the prospects of his new calling, he went home and reflected on his day. He thought of the accident, the officer, and the stranded mother. He remembered how his concern to be on time had kept him from helping. His thoughts turned to a scripture about a certain priest and a Levite who had bypassed a stranded and wounded man (Lu 10:30-37). The next day, he called the Prophet and rejected the call, citing as his only reason, "I'm not worthy."
If the Savior had a little extra time for the Nephites, we should have plenty of extra time for inconvenient and untimely acts of compassionate service. /o:p>
Thomas S. Monson
"What power, what tenderness, what compassion did our Master and Exemplar thus demonstrate! We, too, can bless if we will but follow His noble example. Opportunities are everywhere. Needed are eyes to see the pitiable plight and ears to hear the silent pleadings of a broken heart. Yes, and a soul filled with compassion, that we might communicate not only eye to eye or voice to ear but, in the majestic style of the Savior, even heart to heart." ("Never Alone," Ensign, May 1991)