Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion -Scriptural Examples of Empathy

Scriptural Examples of Empathy

Jehovah is our prime example of empathy.  Although perfect himself, he doe snot expect us to be perfect, "for he himself well knows the formation  of us, remembering that we are dust."  (Psalm 103:14; Romans 5:12)  Moreover, since he is aware of our limitations, 'he does not allow us to be tempted  beyond what we can bear.'   (1 Corinthians 10:13)  By means of his servants and his spirit, he helps us find the way out. -Jeremiah 25:4, 5; Acts 5:32.

Jehovah feels personally the pain his people suffer.  He told the Jews who had returned from Babylon:  "He that is touching you is touching my eyeball."  (Zechariah 2:8)  Keenly aware of God's empathy, Bible writer David said to him:  "Do put my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not in your book?"  (Psalm 56:8)  How comforting to know that Jehovah remembers -as if they were written in a book-the tears his faithful servants shed as they struggle to keep their integrity!

Like his heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is sensitive to the feelings of others.  When he healed a deaf man, he took him aside, likely so that his miraculous recovery would not unduly embarrass  or startle him.  (Mark 7:32-35)  On another occasion, Jesus observed a widow about to bury her only son.  He immediately sensed the pain she was suffering, approached the funeral procession, and resurrected the young man. -Luke 7:11-16.

After his resurrection, when Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, he let Saul know how  his vicious persecution of the disciples affected him.  "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he told him.  (Acts 9:3-5)  Jesus personally felt the pain suffered by his disciples, like a mother who feels the pain of her sick child. Likewise, as our heavenly High Priest Jesus 'sympathizes with our weaknesses,' or according to Rotherham's version, he has "fellow-feeling with our weaknesses." -Hebrews 4:15.

The apostle Paul learned  to be sensitive to the suffering and feelings of others."Who is weak, and I am not weak?  Who is stumbled, and I am not incensed?"  He asked.  (2 Corinthians 11:29) When an angel miraculously freed Paul and Silas of their bonds in a Philippian jail, Paul's first thought was to advise the jailer that nobody has escaped.  He empathetically sensed that the jailer might commit suicide.  Paul knew that according to Roman custom, a jailer would be severely punished if a prisoner escaped-especially if he had been instructed  to guard him securely.  (Acts 16L24-28)  Paul's life-saving act of kindness impressed the jailer, and he and his household took steps to become Christians. -Acts 16:30-34.

Next time: Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion - How to Cultivate Empathy

The Watchtower, 2002