Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. As Jesus encountered the masses in towns and villages, his heart ached for their pain and trials, for their oppression as they were “harassed and helpless”. In short, Jesus had empathy. He felt their vulnerability.
I recently read a commentary shared by Allyssa Boyer, a friend of our own congregation. The commentary was written by an individual named John Suarez, and it really got me thinking. It posed the following question regarding Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands of Jesus’ predicament in the lead up to his crucifixion. The question was, “What if Pilate washing his hands is what we still do today?” Uhm … I think we are all guilty of washing our hands of something we should have called out. Why get involved? It’s so easy just to walk away and find a justification for our own inaction. In reflection, I personally can name times when I should have spoken out and stood up for another.
Which brings me back to empathy. I really do believe that the more we empathize – the more we can place our hearts in the circumstance of the one who suffers – the harder it becomes to “just wash our hands”. When we feel the pain and suffering of others, we own it too.
Dear Lord, may we not look the other way and wash our hands of situations where we can truly make a difference. May empathy spur us to action and voice!
Blessings to all as we reflect on the joy of Easter in the coming week!!
Diana
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