Compassion and Sympathy
OPENING THOUGHT
Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that compassion is a sign of weakness, but nothing could be further from the truth.
A student once asked anthropologist Margaret Mead for the earliest sign of civilization in a given culture. He expected the answer to be a clay pot or perhaps a fishhook or grinding stone. But her answer was "a healed femur." Mead explained that no healed femurs are found where the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, reigns. A healed femur shows that someone cared. Someone had to do that injured person’s hunting and gathering until their leg healed. The evidence of compassion is the first sign of civilization.
Whenever you see compassion, you see greatness. That’s why we shouldn’t be surprised to find it in the personality of the Savior.
EXPLORING GOD’S WORD
Matthew 9:35-38
How was it that Jesus realized these people around him were harassed and helpless?
How do we make sure that we notice other’s afflictions?
What solution did Jesus reveal to his disciples to fix the pain and affliction of those around them?
How can we help “the harvest” after praying about it?
John 11:35
Why is it that Jesus is weeping?
We see that Jesus’ weeping alongside the other mourners reveals to them the love he had for Lazarus. Does the sympathy and compassion we show for others do the same?
Did Jesus seem hesitant to show the care he had for Lazarus and his family? How would it have been perceived if he had been?
Hebrews 4:14-16
How is it that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses?
Would it change our relationship with Jesus if this were not the case? If so, how would it change?
Why are compassion and sympathy integral to our relationship with our Savior?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The NIV translates this passage and calls God, “the Father of compassion.” How does God’s compassion comfort us today?
How do we share that compassion and comfort with others around us who are suffering?
How do we keep from becoming jaded or apathetic towards others suffering? How do we make sure we remain sympathetic and compassionate?
