Ryle, a great theologian with much “proper and correct counsel” he could give, is onto something. How we need genuine sympathy to open hearts and draw out our better feelings. How we need to suffer with that we might better discuss with. How we need to suffer with that we might better counsel with. How we need to suffer with that we might better solve with.

Sympathy. Sym-pathy: literally, to suffer with.

The world and the church today are full of arguments, discussions, debates. I suppose that’s nothing new, but we feel that now perhaps more than in most times.

Embedded in the arguments, discussions, debates are proposals for solutions and outcomes. Everyone has some kind of solution, it seems, particularly in areas of race and relationships.

I’m glad for this solution-oriented desire. The Western world is one of great production and output. Perhaps some of my readers would even cite the “Protestant work ethic” as in full view here. “When we see a problem, we go to work to fix it.”

But I wonder about this world or church full of arguments, discussions, debates, proposals, solutions, and outcomes. I wonder, would you say it is also a world or church full of … sympathy?

Sympathy is that entering the experience of sorrow with another that leads to a shared experience of suffering. This virtue is most exemplified in our Savior. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a great high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness.” Christ entered a world of weakness to suffer with and for His people. He is Christ the sympathizer.

Read More