Empathetic Love

In the last story that was posted here we briefly touched on Jesus' prayer to God the Father saying, "Not my will but yours." Keep that in mind today as we explore the topic of love (something we need more of these days) and a deeper, more sacrificial love that I am labeling 'empathetic love.' Our scripture for today is found in The Book of John - The Story of Lazarus.

You can read the entire story by clicking the link above, but we will just look at some key verses today. The first of which is verse three.

"So, the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

The one you love is sick. This love is reaffirmed in verse five.

"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary) and Lazarus."

By verses 11-14, Jesus already knows that Lazarus is dead. He waits two more days and then goes back to Judea to visit Mary and Martha, despite having the Jews try to stone him there previously.

Now we come to the key verse. After Jesus arrived at the home of his friends, He comforted them. Verse 33

"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." 

This culminates in verse 34, the shortest verse in the Bible and one of the most revealing verses about Jesus.

"Jesus wept."

When one of our friends is hurting and in need of help, what do we do? This story of Jesus and His love for His friends gives us a list of things to keep in mind.

1. Go to the person. Make the trip.

2. Comfort them. Give them a hug.

3. Mourn with them. Feel their sadness.

4. Pray for them. Don't just say you'll pray.

5. Cheer them up. Remind them of good times.

6. Love them, like Jesus.

This season of Thanksgiving and Christmas can be hard for people who have lost someone near and dear to them. Be observant. Take the time. Sacrifice yourself for the hurting. And glorify God in everything you do.

Love Them Like Jesus - Casting Crowns