B-TV: Compassion

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.
Eugene Meltsner: Greetings one and all, I am Eugene Meltsner!
Bernard Walton: And I'm Bernard Walton. Welcome to B-TV. Actually, we're here at a factory in downtown Odyssey for a special engineering edition of B-TV.
Eugene Meltsner: That's right. You see, today we're going to examine the subject of compression.
Bernard Walton: Eugene, perhaps it's best to start with the dictionary meaning.
Eugene Meltsner: Compression is the process by which the working substance in a heat engine is made more compact. It is also the engine cycle during which this process occurs.
Bernard Walton: Eugene!
Eugene Meltsner: What is it, Mr. Walton? We're on the air.
Bernard Walton: Today's show is not about compression.
Eugene Meltsner: It isn't?
Bernard Walton: No, it's about compassion.
Eugene Meltsner: Compassion? But I don't have anything prepared for... I didn't read about... Oh, my! This is very embarrassing. I thought, I was certain I heard correctly. And now I've, on television no less!
Bernard Walton: Now, if you're feeling sorry for Eugene right now, that's part of compassion. And that's also what we're going to talk about here on B-TV. So stick around.
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Eugene Meltsner: Welcome back to B-TV. Hey, Bernard!
Bernard Walton: Hey yourself! So what is compassion anyway? Is it just feeling sorry for someone like we did for Eugene, or is it more? And why is it important for us to have and to practice?
Eugene Meltsner: I have it now! I'm all prepared. Compassion is the sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.
Bernard Walton: Meaning?
Eugene Meltsner: Feeling sorry for someone.
Bernard Walton: We know, Eugene. We covered that already.
Eugene Meltsner: You did? But I thought I could help you and now I've... I didn't know that you... Oh, my!
Bernard Walton: People have thought about compassion for a long time. In fact, in the 1600s, a famous playwright named William Shakespeare had this to say on the subject.
Guest (William Shakespeare): The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. It is enthroned in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute to God himself. And earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice.
Bernard Walton: Now, you probably noticed that he used the word mercy, which is another part of compassion. You also probably noticed that it was hard to understand just about everything else he said. William Shakespeare wasn't the clearest guy in the world.
Guest (William Shakespeare): Wilt thou pluck out mine beard and blow it in my face? I resent it, thou thine insinuation, popinjay!
Bernard Walton: You see what I mean? A better way to find out about compassion is to take a look at a few examples of it. And the best way to do that is, well, how else? In a little town there lived a shoemaker named Marty.
Guest (Marty): Shoes of any kind, that's what I make! Pumps, sandals, boots, tennies, clogs. I make a wingtip that's to die for!
Bernard Walton: Marty's shop was a tiny room in a basement. There was only one window in the place, which gave him the eye-level view of the street.
Guest (Marty): What better way to see everybody's shoes?
Bernard Walton: Marty had always been a good man and a devout believer in God. But as he got older, he began to think more about how he could honor and draw closer to his Heavenly Father.
Guest (Marty): Sure, I love shoes, but come on! They hardly compare to God. What were you thinking?
Bernard Walton: So each night, Marty read his Bible, then prayed earnestly that somehow, some way, he might see Jesus.
Guest (Marty): Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Lord, I know you don't make many physical appearances these days, but if it's possible, I sure would like to see you. Just once. Even a glimpse would be nice. Thanks.
Bernard Walton: One night after a particularly hard day's work, Marty was so exhausted he fell asleep in mid-prayer.
Guest (Marty): Now I lay me down...
Guest (Jesus): Marty, Marty, look out your window tomorrow, and you shall see me.
Guest (Marty): Was that you, Lord? Lord? Must've been a dream, but it seemed so real. Look out my window, huh? That's silly. You're a silly man, Marty. Go back to sleep.
Bernard Walton: Marty snuggled under the covers and soon returned to slumberland. But next morning, he couldn't get the voice out of his mind.
Guest (Marty): Maybe it was real. Nah!
Bernard Walton: And he set about his daily tasks, looking frequently out the window, just in case.
Guest (Marty): What's the matter with looking? Looking hurts nothing. What, am I going to miss the Lord if he should walk down my street? Give me a break.
Bernard Walton: It was a cold, snowy day, and as morning wore on, Marty saw the usual passersby and people from the neighborhood, including an old soldier named Stephen, who lived in a basement across the street. Marty knew Stephen traded his room for small chores.
Guest (Marty): Looks like he's going to shovel the snow off the walk. Good, it needs it.
Bernard Walton: But Stephen only shoveled two scoops full of snow when Marty saw him stop and lean against the wall, too weak to continue. Marty felt sorry for the old soldier and called to him from his shop door.
Guest (Marty): Stephen, what are you doing? Come in here and warm yourself!
Bernard Walton: Filling two mugs with hot tea, Marty handed one to Stephen along with some crackers and cheese. Stephen devoured them hungrily.
Guest (Marty): Slow down, Stephen! You want to make yourself sick?
Guest (Stephen): Sorry, I haven't eaten in a while.
Guest (Marty): Well, there's plenty more. Take your time.
Guest (Stephen): Thanks, Marty.
Bernard Walton: He took another bite and noticed Marty looking out the window.
Guest (Stephen): Are you waiting for someone?
Guest (Marty): Sort of.
Bernard Walton: Marty sheepishly revealed his dream from the night before and told Stephen that as silly as it seems, he's waiting for the Lord.
Guest (Stephen): I don't think it's silly at all. You go right on looking.
Bernard Walton: And with that, Stephen downed the tea in his mug, then left to continue his work, refreshed and invigorated.
Guest (Marty): Goodbye, Stephen!
Guest (Stephen): Goodbye, Marty!
Guest (Marty): Well, at least he agrees with me. Of course, he also talks to his shovel, but hey, support is support.
Bernard Walton: We interrupt this story about compassion to bring you a great act of compassion.
Guest (Bartimaeus): Mercy, mercy! Have mercy on a blind beggar!
Guest (Male): Quiet, Bartimaeus! The Master doesn't have time for the likes of you.
Guest (Bartimaeus): Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Mercy, Son of David, mercy!
Guest (Jesus): Bring him here.
Guest (Male): Now what do you know. Buck up, Bartimaeus, old boy. The Master wants to see you. Come on. Here he is, Master. Bartimaeus the beggar.
Guest (Bartimaeus): Have mercy on me, Son of David.
Guest (Jesus): What do you want me to do for you?
Guest (Bartimaeus): My sight, Master! I want my sight.
Guest (Jesus): Go your way. Your faith has made you whole.
Guest (Bartimaeus): I can see! I can see! I can see! Oh, thank you, Jesus! Thank you! Oh, thank you, Jesus! Yes, I can see! I can see!
Bernard Walton: We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
Guest (Male): And now it's time for... Who's Got Compassion? Yes, it's Who's Got Compassion, the game show where contestants pit their knowledge against one another for fabulous prizes, all to answer the question: Who's Got Compassion? Our contestants this time are a young man from Maple Avenue, Sam.
Guest (Sam): Hi!
Guest (Male): And three-time returning champion, Courtney.
Guest (Courtney): Hi!
Guest (Male): And now here's the host of Who's Got Compassion, the one, the only, Dale Martwinkle!
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Thank you, thank you, and thank you, Dan Perdue.
Guest (Dan Perdue): You're welcome, Dale.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Welcome to the show, everyone! For those of you who may not know how we play our game, I'm going to give the contestants a series of one- or two-word clues about famous incidents of compassion. From those clues, they have to tell me the name of the incident, the story behind the incident, and most important, the person or persons in the story: who's got compassion? Contestants, do you understand the rules?
Guest (Sam): We sure do.
Guest (Courtney): Sure do.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Then let's get started. Here are your first set of clues: The Bible, Old Testament, River, Bulrushes, Basket.
Guest (Courtney): Baby Moses?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Right! And the story?
Guest (Courtney): The children of Israel lived for many years in the land of Egypt. The Pharaoh didn't like the fact that the Hebrews had become such a large nation. So he ordered that they be made slaves. Then he commanded that all newborn Hebrew boys be thrown into the Nile River. But baby Moses's mother made a basket from bulrushes, waterproofed it with tar, then put Moses in it and put it in the river. One of Pharaoh's daughters saw the basket and sent a servant to fetch it. When she opened it, there was the baby. She was filled with love and took him to the palace to live as her own child.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): So, who's got compassion?
Guest (Courtney): Pharaoh's daughter.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): You're absolutely right! Okay, contestants, here's your next set of clues: The Bible.
Guest (Sam): The Good Samaritan?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Oh, no, I'm sorry, Sam, although that is a very good example of compassion, it's just not the one we're looking for here.
Guest (Sam): Rats.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Let's continue on with the clues: Old Testament, A King.
Guest (Sam): King Saul and David? You know, when David saved his life in the cave?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): No, sorry, Sam, that's also not what we're looking for.
Guest (Sam): Double rats.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Okay, so far we have: The Bible, Old Testament, and a King. Here are the rest of the clues: Friendship, Crippled, Son.
Guest (Courtney): Is it Mephibosheth?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): That's right!
Guest (Courtney): See, when the shepherd David became king, the first thing he did was defeat his enemies. Then he wondered if there was anyone still living from Saul's family.
Guest (David): I wonder if there's anyone still living from Saul's family.
Guest (Courtney): He found out that Jonathan, Saul's son and David's best friend, had a son named Mephibosheth who was still alive but crippled in both feet. David sent for him and gave him all the lands and property that belonged to Jonathan and Saul.
Guest (David): I hereby grant all the lands and property that belonged to Jonathan and Saul back to Mephib- Mephib- who?
Guest (Courtney): Mephibosheth. From then on, he lived in the palace and ate at the king's table.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): So, who's got compassion?
Guest (Courtney): King David.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Right again!
Guest (Sam): Triple rats.
Guest (Bernard Walton): And now back to Bernard's story about compassion. Marty sat back down to work, still looking out the window periodically, hoping to see the Savior pass by. After a while, he saw a woman stop at the wall across the street. She was a stranger, poorly dressed and carrying a baby in her arms. She stood with her back to the icy wind trying to shield her baby from the cold. Marty bounded out of his door and ran over to her.
Guest (Marty): Hey, you! Lady!
Guest (Female): Sir?
Guest (Marty): Why are you standing out here with your baby in the cold? Come inside, for goodness sake!
Bernard Walton: They all went back inside Marty's shop where he sat the young woman down by the stove.
Guest (Marty): You get warm while I get some food ready for you and the baby.
Guest (Female): Thank you, kind sir. We haven't eaten since yesterday.
Bernard Walton: Marty brought out some soup for the woman and porridge for the baby.
Guest (Marty): Go ahead, dig in!
Guest (Female): Oh, but my baby...
Guest (Marty): Don't worry, I'll feed him. I know how to handle babies. I've had kids of my own, although they never write or call now. They're all big doctors and lawyers. And do they have time for the old man? But I'm rambling. You go ahead and eat.
Bernard Walton: The woman thanked God and then ate as Marty tended the baby.
Guest (Marty): You mind if I ask you a question?
Guest (Female): Go ahead.
Guest (Marty): Why are you wearing summer clothes in the dead of winter? Don't you have anything warmer?
Guest (Female): No, I don't. I had to pawn my coat for $5 last week.
Bernard Walton: Marty handed her the baby, then went to his closet and brought back an old cloak.
Guest (Marty): Here, wrap the baby in this. It'll keep him warm. Marty then fished in his pocket and pulled out a five-dollar bill.
Guest (Female): Oh, no, sir, I couldn't!
Guest (Marty): Yes, you can. Don't be ridiculous. What are you going to do, walk around until you freeze to death? Take it. Get your coat out of hock.
Bernard Walton: The woman stared at the gifts in shock, then burst into tears.
Guest (Female): God bless you, sir! God bless you!
Bernard Walton: That said, she took the cloak and money, picked up the baby, and left.
Guest (Marty): Guess she's not one for long goodbyes. Oh, and goodbye!
Bernard Walton: We interrupt Bernard's story about compassion again to bring you this word from Bernard. Okay, so far we've heard some great examples explaining what compassion is.
Guest (William Shakespeare): Thinkest thou those examples were better than mine? A pox upon thee for a knave!
Bernard Walton: Yes, but they still don't answer the questions of just why compassion is so important and why we should practice it. We'll talk about that when B-TV comes back right after this.
Guest (William Shakespeare): Fie on thee! Cuckold!
Bernard Walton: Oh, be quiet. Bones.
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Eugene Meltsner: Welcome back to B-TV.
Bernard Walton: Coming through!
Guest (Male): And now it's time for... Did You Know?
Guest (Female): Did you know that in the Bible there are several words used to describe compassion and mercy, including kindness, loving-kindness, goodness, grace, favor, pity, and steadfast love?
Guest (Male): No, but did you know that one meaning of the Greek word for compassion is to be moved down to the pit of your stomach? Sort of like having a gut feeling. Well, you know it now! And don't you forget it!
Bernard Walton: So we know that many great people practice compassion. That means it must be important, but why? Why should we practice compassion?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Let's move on to the third set of clues. These will be a little bit harder.
Guest (Sam): Harder?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Ancient Rome, a slave, a thorn, a lame paw, friendship.
Guest (Courtney): Is it Androcles and the Lion?
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): Yes, and the story.
Guest (Courtney): Androcles was a slave in Rome who ran away and hid in a cave. One day, a lion came into the cave. Androcles thought the lion would eat him. But instead, the lion limped as he walked. Androcles looked at the lion's paw and found a thorn in it. He removed the thorn, and the two became great friends. But one day while the lion was out hunting, soldiers came to the cave and found Androcles.
Guest (Male): Oi! Here he is!
Guest (Courtney): They took him back to be torn apart by a wild beast in the arena. When they opened the arena doors, who should run in but the lion? He had been captured, too! They rushed together full of happiness at being reunited. Androcles hugged the lion, and the lion licked Androcles. And they were both spared from death.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): So, who's got compassion?
Guest (Courtney): Androcles and the Lion.
Guest (Dale Martwinkle): You're absolutely right!
Bernard Walton: That's one reason why we should have compassion. If we expect it from others, we have to give it ourselves. It's called the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. But is that the only reason to practice compassion, so that we can get something out of it? No, there's a much deeper and greater reason. And that reason is...
Guest (Male): We interrupt Bernard's explanation about compassion to bring you the conclusion of his story about compassion.
Bernard Walton: Once the young woman and her baby left, Marty got back to work, glancing frequently out the window in hopes that Jesus would pass by. Soon he saw an old woman walking home from the market, pulling behind her a small wagon of groceries. In the wagon was a sack of apples.
Guest (Marty): Now where'd she get apples in the dead of winter?
Bernard Walton: The woman stopped momentarily to tie her shoe, and when she did, a boy in a tattered cap sneaked up behind her, snatched an apple out of the bag, and tried to sneak away.
Guest (Marty): Uh-oh, I see a bad moon a-rising.
Bernard Walton: But before he could, the woman grabbed his sleeve.
Guest (Marty): I knew it!
Bernard Walton: The boy tried to escape, but the woman held on to him and knocked his cap off his head, grabbing a handful of hair in the process. Marty bolted out of his shop and ran up to the woman and the boy.
Guest (Marty): Hey, knock it off! Stop, stop it! Woman, woman, learn to forgive. Can't you both just get along?
Guest (Female): I'll make him think "get along"! Steal from me, will you? Call the police!
Guest (Male): No, no, please don't arrest me! I'm the only provider for my mother and sister. Without me, they'll starve.
Guest (Female): Well, that serves you and them right! You ought to be whipped for what you've done!
Guest (Marty): Woman, woman, that's the way we do things, but that's not the way God does them. If he should be whipped for stealing an apple, what should be done to us for our sins?
Bernard Walton: The woman took a step back as Marty continued.
Guest (Marty): God wants us to forgive, or else we won't be forgiven. That means everyone, a thoughtless youngster most of all.
Bernard Walton: There was a long pause. Finally, the woman shook her head and sighed.
Guest (Female): I know what you say is right and true. But youngsters are terribly spoiled these days.
Guest (Marty): Then we old ones have to show them better, huh?
Guest (Female): Well, yes, I suppose. Of course. Don't fret, child. All is forgiven.
Bernard Walton: She patted him on the shoulder, then started off, pulling her wagon behind her. Suddenly, the boy ran after her.
Guest (Male): Wait! I'm going that way. May I pull the wagon for you?
Guest (Female): Well, that would be very nice, young man. Thank you.
Bernard Walton: Marty watched them go, then sighed.
Guest (Marty): I'm getting too old for this stuff.
Bernard Walton: He went back to his shop, but by now the light had gone and he couldn't see well enough to continue. So he ate dinner, got into bed, read his Bible, and prayed.
Guest (Marty): Me again, Lord. Sorry I was so silly today for believing in a dream that I would see you and everything. I'm an old man and sometimes we hope when we should know better. Still, it would have been nice to, well, you know. Not that I'm complaining anyway. Amen.
Bernard Walton: Soon he fell asleep. While he was sleeping, the voice again came to him.
Guest (Jesus): Marty, Marty.
Bernard Walton: But this time Marty answered.
Guest (Marty): Lord, is that you?
Guest (Jesus): Marty.
Guest (Marty): I looked for you all day, Lord, but you never came. Not that I'm complaining, but what gives?
Guest (Jesus): Martin, Martin, don't you know me? It is I.
Bernard Walton: Suddenly out of the darkness stepped old Stephen, who smiled, then vanished.
Guest (Jesus): It is I.
Bernard Walton: And out of the darkness stepped the young mother and her child. The mother smiled, the baby laughed, then they too vanished.
Guest (Jesus): It is I.
Bernard Walton: Once again out of the darkness stepped the old woman and the boy, who both smiled and then vanished.
Guest (Jesus): It is I.
Bernard Walton: Marty looked confused.
Guest (Marty): Pardon me, Lord, I'm sorry, but I don't get it.
Guest (Jesus): Marty, I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in, naked and you clothed me. Inasmuch as you did this unto the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.
Bernard Walton: Did you catch it? It was right there at the end: the best reason of all for us to practice compassion. In fact, Shakespeare said it at the end of his speech.
Guest (William Shakespeare): I didst? Yes, I knew it well today, and well spoken twas. Just what didst I say?
Bernard Walton: That mercy is an attribute to God himself and earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice.
Guest (William Shakespeare): Yes, of course, but what does it mean? The clearest man in the world I am not, as thou well knowest.
Bernard Walton: Well, it simply means that when we practice compassion, it brings us closer to God. In fact, we're showing it to Jesus himself, which is only fitting since he showed us the greatest act of compassion in history: John 3:16. For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son that whoever would believe in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Guest (William Shakespeare): Now that's a great reason!
Bernard Walton: It certainly is. Well, that's all the time we have for today. If you'll excuse me, I need to go practice some compassion. See you next time on B-TV.
Eugene Meltsner: So long! Thanks for coming!
Chris: In Galatians 5:14, the apostle Paul writes that the whole Old Testament law is fulfilled in one simple phrase: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Sounds like a pretty good formula for compassion to me. We should always be on the lookout for ways to treat others with kindness, caring, and love. After all, that's the way we'd like to be treated, isn't it? Well, that's all for this time. If you have any suggestions or ideas for future B-TV shows, send them to me here in Odyssey. Our address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada write to Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called B-TV: Compassion. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. B-TV Compassion was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold. Music by John Campbell. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.