Monday: Our Sympathetic Savior
As Jesus mingled with people during His earthly ministry, He encountered situations that revealed His sympathy and compassion for them. “He came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14, ASV).
Read Matthew 9:35-36 and Luke 7:11-16. What do they teach us about how true sympathy and compassion are made manifest?
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
The word sympathy also brings to mind other related words, such as empathy and pity.According to various dictionaries, compassionis pity, sympathy, empathy. Pity is sympathetic sorrow for one’s suffering. Empathy is the ability to understand or share the feelings of others.
Compassion and sympathy show that we not only understand what others are suffering but that we want to help alleviate and remedy the suffering.
When you hear about the sad things that have happened to people in your community, such as their house burning down or a death in the family, what is your reaction? Do you just mutter, “That’s so sad,” and then move on, which is so easy to do? Or are your sympathies aroused, moving you with compassion for them? True compassion will lead you toward comforting and actively helping friends as well as strangers in practical ways. Whether it is sending a sympathy card or showing even deeper sympathy by visiting and assisting with immediate needs, loving action is the clear result of true sympathy.
Fortunately, people and aid organizations tend to compassionately respond to big disasters. However, sometimes we may not pay as much attention to the “smaller” misfortunes and disasters that deeply affect someone.
Jesus didn’t just show sympathy but took that sympathy to the next level: compassionate action. We, of course, are called to do the same. Anyone can feel sorrow or sympathy for someone’s misfortune. The question is, What action does that sympathy lead us to perform?
| While eating breakfast, a man was listening to his wife read from the news about a tragedy in another country that had left thousands dead. After talking for a few moments about how terrible it was, he then changed the subject and asked if the local soccer team had won the match the night before. In what ways are we all somewhat guilty of the same thing, and what, if anything, can we do about it? |
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We are ever to empathise with others. If you find you neighbor in a misfortune, before saying sorry, picture yourself in his shoes. Sometimes some news appear to us as unreal. Some are to big while some appear little or nothing but the shoe owner knows where it hurts. There is something I can do. Jesus said "go ye and tell.......starting from Jerusalem, to judea, to Samaria and to the end of the world." My Jerusalem is where I stay, Judea is the neighborhood while Samaria are the farthest neighbors.
I feel that "empathy" is a wonderful quality, Edwin. It is not only sympathizing "for" somebody in their struggles, it is the ability to enter into their struggles "with" them.
Hebrews 4:15 says that "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses...". In other words, our High Priest definitely can [and does] do that.
But the word translated "sympathize" in Heb 4:15 (Strongs #4834), is defined, "to suffer WITH another" (in Vine's Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words), and so to me the quality represented in the verse is actually "empathy" rather than "sympathy".
And this is how some of the more technical Bible translations put it, for example, the Wuest translation puts it, that our High Priest is "able to enter experientially into a fellow feeling with our infirmities [or weaknesses]".
"In all their affliction He was afflicted..." (Isa 63:9)
With regards to the above scenario about the "tragedy in another country that had left thousands dead", there is another common type of response.
That is, some government, or some agency, or some person could/should have done "this" or "that" better. It can sometimes sound like a grievance on behalf of the dead and suffering, but what it often is, I think, is simply an opportunity to be a judge and to pronounce some verdict about the case. Humanity loves to take the highest seats (Lk 20:46), and to look down upon situations [even upon tragic situations,] with some authoritative sounding pronouncement. This seems much more preferable - and much more convenient - than actually doing something that might be of practical help.
Jesus did not only show sympathy but took sympathy to the next level - 'Compassionate Action'. Friends there are many people with real needs in the community around our homes, churches, and workplaces. As we have learnt earlier, we need to pray for a second touch so that we can see people as people not as walking trees or objects. Once our eyes are fully opened as Jesus' we will take advantage of the many opportunities for ministration that present themselves, and speak the right words or do the right thing for the moment, and that way many people shall see our God and give glory to Him. As Jesus had said 'If I am lifted up like the serpent of silver I would draw the whole world to me' lets help Jesus get higher and higher as we get lower and lower.
unless our Christianity becomes practical , we are not better than the Pharisees and scribes. It's now or never that we ought to change and change in indeed.
MoSt times we only focus on what affects us if it doesn't affect us ten w e are not too concerned. What today lesson is saying is that no matter what or where we are we should feel the need to do the simplieSt thing "lift the heart broken up in prayer ". Doing this will truly show that we are like Christ
This past Sabbath I drove to the camp site were people from my district were camping. My car got stuck in the sand just at the turn off towards the campsite. I felt helpless and was panicking, how am I going to get out of here, if only I hadn't made the turn. A white car passed by and they didn't even bother to stop. There was no network and I couldn't even make a call. Just as I was still thinking of how to help myself then God sent a farm worker who came to assist after seeing that I was stuck. He had compassion towards me that's why he came to assist. Cleared the sand and with a push I was good to go. I was prepared to go back home when he told me that the white car I saw earlier was going to the same camp site and that there is a better road ahead, it got me thinking of the parable of the good Samaritan and the lesson we had some days back on 'who is your neighbor'. I felt really challenged by this incident many times we shrug off those in need because we are rushing for an important meeting but meeting that persons need ain't it more important? My prayer is that as we go through these lessons may they transform us and make us better people.
That's the question Who is my neighbor?
When someone helps us we know how it feels to be relieved to receive aid
Yesterday I was walking to the park with a pulling bag and holding 2 bags
I asked a young man for directions and I told him I could walk there but he said that it was too far
He was running to deliver food to his family at a picnic but he stopped to help
He put my load in his car and drove me closet to where my car was parked
Now he was also hurrying to get a hair cut but this young man took the time to assist me
I thanked and blessed him for he showed compassion when he put aside his plans to do so
When we help others the time may during our busiest time and we have no excuse
Do unto others as we would have them do unto us
Ellen that part '...rushing to an important meeting' to an extent that we forget the objective of going to that meeting is a disease that affects all of us. Going to church or a religious meeting to learn more of what God expects from us, and meeting people's needs along the way, are all important. We need to be careful not to be blinded by the urgency of going to attending to a church business while neglecting opportunities to show our sympathy to others like Jesus. Let's pray for one another that we allow Jesus to touch us a second time so that we can see people as they are with their needs and allow the Holy Spirit to draw to usefulness in lifting up Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
I'm not sure why one should feel guilty asking for scores after discussing a far away tragedy. I know my wife would immediately pray for those suffering loss or injuries. I happy to say I am becoming more empythitic to others needs...Royce
Sympathy allows one to start being empathetic, and empathy allows one to have compassion. You need all three of them to truly act the right way towards someone who is hurting. You cam understand a person situation with out caring, you can feel sorry with out truly understanding their situation, but you can't have compassion without sympathy and empathy, and Jesus had all three. Hence we must stay focused, so that have/feel this emotions towards our neighbor.
What's the difference between compassion, empathy and altruism?
Nobody has given you an answer to this question Victor, so I will attempt it but probably not quite in the way that you expect. These words are in a sense synonyms and all of them convey a sense of caring for others without expectation of payment or reward. Some of the nuance of meaning will come from your own background. I find that African, Asian, European, and American's all have slight variations of meaning. Rather than trying to create differences in meaning it is important to understand the ideas behind the words. There are whole stream of adjectives and adjectival phrases that I associate with these words.
Here are a few ideas:
1) we need to be not patronizing in our concern for others. Too often we act as though we are a benefactor. Such behaviour goes against the notion of empathy (a fellow sufferer)
2) we should not show favouritism. A rich person with high social standing may be just as much in need of compassion as a beggar in the street.
3) Our altruism has to be a way of life, not just a plan to reduce our taxation bill. (That does not mean that you should not use tax breaks - but it should not be the reason for your actions.)
4) Christians often do good deeds with a sense of proselytizing. I understand the urge to talk about Jesus, but it is important to let the actions speak for themselves. Love is patient.
Jesus met them at there avocation. When I looked up the meaning, I got the impression that today it means, as in Christ time, recreation time , our secular interest time: science, nature, solar energy clubs, ham and packet radio clubs, church outings, tennis, golf, snow skiing, Greenbay Packers games, wrestling matches, Olympic games, and other clean fun. There Christ found people to be compassionate and sympathetic about. E.G.W. 'My Life Today' page 186. I would be like Jesus, in the home and in the church, all day long.
There was a time when I stopped for a fire truck or an ambulance and I thought about the family that needed this assistance and I had sympathy for them and offered a word of prayer. When I hear about the different tragic events occurring around the world where 1000s of people have lost their lives and I think about the families and I wonder what a lost they must feel but there is nothing I can do about it but have sympathy and pray for them. But Jesus' example in Matt. 7:11-16 is that I must see the needs of the people that I may encounter on a daily bases and not only have sympathy for them but compassion which will move me to do something. I may not be able to raise the dead or heal the sick Luke 9: 35-36 but I must offer help that will "alleviate and remedy" their suffering. I can no longer just give money and watch others.but I must roll up my sleeves and get personally involved. These lessons have given me a sense of "with" the community. Jesus said "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" Matt 9: 37.
While this comment is being written I am watching my wife in severe pain in a hospital bed. Physicians are baffled why she is running high temperature and high white count. Labs and CT are non specific. We are agonizing emotionally. Non SDAs and SDAs are quite supportive of us where I see real sympathy, emphathy, and compassion. I thank God for that so much. One thing I miss is the same attitude from my blood relatives who do not seem to really care or maybe I am just expecting too much from them. After all they are all professionals through my financial support while they were all living and studying in the 3rd world. Please help me God because I have this feeling and help my wife to come out of this situation.
I pray in agreement with your prayer. May God's peace be on you, His wisdom for your wife's doctor's, and forgiveness in your heart.
Theres nothing too hard for the Lord...Blessings upon you...with what Measure u measured and it will be measured unto you..
you may not receive the help you need from the same person you offered help but in return God brings someone special in times of needs..
pass on the favour to someone else
Blessings return
I offered a prayer for you an your wife
The lesson really touches on the core of true chrisitianity -symphatizing with the afflicted. Brethren there is no better way we can put this. We need to be practical christians, period. Here is the test, what did you do more than others mathew 5:47. Romans 2:13, James 1:22. etc. Blessed are not the hearers of the word but doers. Lets pray to God to help be practical christians, showing emphathy and humility
There is a time for sympathy [absolutely!], but there are times when the expression of sympathy can blunten conviction, or produce an effect that is to the person's detriment.
Very soon after Nadab and Abihu died in the Sanctuary, Moses said to their father, Aaron, (and to the young men's surviving brothers,) "Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people." (Lev 10:6)
Aaron was to express no public mourning for the loss of his sons. There was to be no manifestation of grief on their part. Why? Because it could have literally cost them their lives, and the lives of many of the people. And it seems that Aaron and his remaining sons understood and accepted what Moses had told them, because "...they did according to the word of Moses." (Lev 10:7.) We may not understand the actual 'mechanics' behind the warning, but I believe that the warning was necessary. No sympathy was to be shown for the young men...
There is such a thing as "misplaced sympathy" and "false sympathy". This fact does not negate the need for real sympathy, but it is possible for us to be too sentimental... too delicate and dainty, when people are in need of something more substantial.
I might raise a note of caution here. God directly instructed Moses not to have Aaron mourn. I would be reluctant to apply that to other circumstances where we consider the person to get their just reward and thus withhold sympathy. The overall all thrust of these lessons are to broaden our scope of who to mingle with, who we should desire their good and now to who we should extend sympathy. Luke 6: 38 seems like a good text to balance is if we think we have answers other than to give ourselves unreservedly as Christ did for us.
Thank you Doug. I too have felt that caution is needed in this area, and that is why I posted the preceding comment.
You mentioned that you would be reluctant to apply the above scenario to other circumstances, and of course I accept that. But for those who have confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy, there is a significant balancing element. (The warnings with regards to showing inappropriate sympathy are clear and frequent.) And in connection with the circumstances surrounding the death of Aaron's sons, and the wider implications / applications, I would suggest that the book, Patriarchs and Prophets (p.361), is pertinent.
Thank God for this today's needful lessons . As an individuals we have responsibilities to alleviate the dying soul by showing empathy n sympathy as Christ did. On other hand the entire Church is only concerning about money , money without evening turing back to see to those who are sufferingin the churches today . They will look up to you to endure pains and tragedy before saying sorrow God will take care of God. I think we must learn from Christ He shown sympathy and empathy. He rescued the dying souls and provided their needs at the right time
I am not sure why you have said that "On other hand the entire Church is only concerning about money , money without evening turing back to see to those who are suffering in the churches today"
I worked for the church for over 40 years and during that time I have seen the church care for those is need above and beyond the call of duty. The church record is not perfect. I do know of cases where things have gone horribly wrong - church leaders make mistakes, but I think that blanket statements about the church ignoring suffering do an injustice to the many times the church has dome the right thing.
And if we want our church to do better then it is our hands as church members to see that the church is indeed a caring church.