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Compassion & Sympathy Our Lord and Savior set the example of “compassion and sympathy: (Luke 19:41 – 42) “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” How fortunate we are today that Jesus Christ still has “compassion and sympathy” upon us as He looks down from heaven and sees our sinful ways. We too are to be “compassionate” and have “sympathy” upon our fellow-man; as a matter of fact this is a command of both Paul and Peter! Paul wrote: (Rom. 12:15) “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” According to the inspired apostle not only are we to be happy with others when they are happy we should also cry with them when they are sad, thereby showing “compassion”. Peter wrote: (1 Pet. 3:8) “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” Perhaps you find the words of Peter more directly related to the subject of compassion; but the words of Paul are just as meaningful. The message I receive from the words of Peter is that it is the courteous thing to be compassionate to one another. Friends, it is certainly a sign of love to show “compassion and sympathy” to one another! To whom should we show “compassion and sympathy”? Here is what Job said: (Job 6:14) “To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend”. If there was ever anyone who understood what it was it was Job understood full well. He was afflicted to the degree that most of us will never have to face and he knew what he most needed; he needed “pity” [I.e. he needed “compassion and sympathy]. The Hebrew writer wrote a very good reminder: (Heb. 13:3) “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” I find the advice here to be very good as we are instructed to put ourselves in their shoes. Look upon the afflicted and imagine how you would feel if it were you. If we would only do this I feel that there would be a much greater show of “compassion and sympathy’! The Psalmist had the right idea: (Psa. 35:13) “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” He looked at the sick and afflicted; put himself in their shoes and had “compassion and sympathy” for them. What makes this even greater is these were his enemies that he felt “compassion and sympathy” for. We should also have “compassion and sympathy” for the poor and the weak. (Prov. 19:17) “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Contrary to the popular trend we should never look down on anyone just because they are poor. In fact we should be willing to lend them a helping hand. Concerning the weak Paul wrote: (2 Cor. 11:29) “Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” Is Paul not putting on the other fellow’s shoes? He also wrote: (Gal. 6:2) “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” The only way that you and I can “bear one another’s burdens” is to show one another “compassion and sympathy”! Whenever anyone is down and weak let us show them love. Here is what Paul wrote concerning our brothers and sisters in Christ: (1 Cor. 12:25 – 26) “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” Regardless whether one in the brotherhood be rich or poor, strong or weak, honored or not, happy or sad, regardless of the color of their skin we should have the same care for all [I.e. we should have “compassion and sympathy” as required]. And don’t forget to rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Are we missing a great opportunity to strengthen one another by not showing “compassion and sympathy”?
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