When Jesus wept over Lazarus and healed a man with leprosy, he embodied empathy as a core virtue. His life and teachings are filled with examples of empathy, including his willingness to mourn with others, weep with those in sorrow, and heal the sick and marginalized. Jesus doesn’t ask us to “love your neighbor” he asks us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” [Matthew 22:39]. Empathy is more than a feeling. Empathy asks more of us than a moment of compassion. Empathy is entering another person’s world and feeling with that person, rather than feeling sorry for that person.
Empathy mirrors Jesus’ willingness to connect and suffer with humanity. The Bible emphasizes the importance of empathy with scriptures that tells us “Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them, those who are being tortured as though you yourselves were being tortured” [Hebrews 13:3]; and “Have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” [1 Peter 3:8].
Christians are called to empathy as a gift from God, in our relationships and in our service to the world. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” [Galatians 6:2]
Helping someone is good, but empathy can become dangerous and destructive. Empathy leads us to feel too much for someone, and that blurs our ability to determine right from wrong, and makes us vulnerable to moral compromise. Empathy can lead us to feel with people rather than correct them.
Some Christians consider empathy a sin. Concerns include misplaced empathy, emotional manipulation to gain control, excusing sin, compromising biblical principles, ignoring sound moral judgment. Some consider empathy as compromising Christianity itself—because it leads to social justice that seeks to rectify past and present wrongs in an effort to lend credibility to the gospel of Christ.
Different than compassion, empathy is a foundation for actively loving and caring for others’ well-being with thoughtful support and wise guidance. Really listening to understand another’s thoughts and feelings, before responding, is crucial for nurturing empathy. This kind of Christian discipleship that calls us to actively “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” [Romans 12:15]. Empathy is a way of being; a way of relating to others that reflects the love and compassion of Jesus. Our willingness to walk alongside reflects God’s love and care for humanity.
Empathy is a much-needed bridge to cross divides and nurture understanding, reconciliation, and healing. Something in short supply today.
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