The modern use of the word "passion" only stems from the 1600's, when it took on the sense of "strong liking or enthusiasm". In the late 1500's it had picked up the notion of "sensual love". But the original word traces its Lain roots to the word 'pati' which means to suffer or endure. Passion originally was originally associated with suffering. That is why the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" is so accurate and appropriate as a title. It also helps us understand what it means to have 'compassion'. When we have compassion we have an attitude and an inner drive to 'suffer with' or identify with the suffering of others. Jesus endured great suffering for us because He has always been compassionate for us. Perhaps we can combine the original and the later meanings by developing a passion to be compassionate. Certainly this has always been the way of the Lord.
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Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God
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Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
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blessings,
Rob Smith
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