I grew up with a mistaken understanding that sympathy was a lesser emotion than compassion. It was considered a weakness, connecting to ‘pity’, and of little support in life’s painful situations. I became confused about its origin, concerned that ‘sympathy’ didn’t afford people in trouble the depth of compassion they deserved. As a result, I edged away from ‘sympathy’ cards, and avoided using the word in letters of condolence or support.
Interestingly, the Bible teaches, “…we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses…” [Hebrews 4:15, italics added]. There are several ways to translate this: ‘touched with the feelings of our infirmities’; ‘sympathise [or empathise] with our weaknesses’. My primary quotation is from the New International Version UK, whilst the one using ‘empathise’ is from the regular NIV. What motivated the difference? Is ‘empathy’ a better or more acceptable emotion? The Oxford Dictionary describes ‘sympathy’ as, “The ability to share in another person’s feelings and concerns, with the accompanying delight in their joys and grief in their sorrows.” It describes ‘empathy’ as “The ability to imagine oneself in another person’s position and to experience all the sensations connected with it.”
Sympathy is so much more than mere pity! “It means ‘to suffer together with someone’,” writes Oswald Sanders. “To enter into the experience of another as though it were one’s own.” I’m awed by the thought that Yahshua feels sympathy for us, suffering alongside us when we’re in trouble. This is the amazing strength of our great High Priest. He is also empathic, able to put Himself into the very position in which we find ourselves and experience all those powerful emotions that rock our world. When we walk with Yahshua we are never alone!
The Scriptures urge us to have sympathy for each other, to suffer together. “Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily” [Hebrews 13:3]. Yahweh provides us with a network of support to which each of us can contribute; sympathy and compassion from caring hearts will help us on our way.
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/photos/four-person-holding-each-others-waist-at-daytime-0aMMMUjiiEQ
The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
Timothy Peck
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