Today’s Devotion
Topic: Empathy
Text: Hebrews 13: 3
3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Amen
Understandably, empathy is a beautiful virtue that all mankind should posses and manifest, especially those of us in Christ Jesus.
Empathy is explained as the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within the other person’s frame of reference, i.e., the capacity to place one’s self in another’s shoes.
The author of Hebrews reminds us that being able to identify with those suffering in one way or another is a godly duty we should never get tired off. He says, “continue to remember those in prison, and those who are mistreated”. The question is, ‘why?’ :
a) Firstly because Jesus would have done same. Here on earth, He simply identified with all who were dissolute and imprisoned by one situation or another. (Matt 9: 36).
b) Secondly, showing empathy and compassion to the destitute is seen by heaven as kindness towards God Himself. Jesus warns that on the last day, He will tell many to depart from Him because they did not visit Him when He was sick and imprisoned. Should they inquire how that was possible, He would tell them “whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me”. (read: Mat 25: 31- 46)
c) Thirdly, everyone deserves compassion and love. There is so much healing without measure when another makes you know they care for you and are with you in your struggle.
d) Lastly, because life is full of interesting turns. Today it is someone else in prison or being mistreated. By tomorrow, any of us could easily be in their shoes and crave the empathy of friends and loved ones. Jesus mingled with those bound by several chains, both spiritual and physical. It was not long and He Himself was in chains, imprisoned and mistreated. Who would have thought that Jesus, the only friend of the defendless, would one day be lonely because of His chains?
Apostle Paul encourages that we “owe nothing to anyone — except for your obligation to love one another” (Roms 13: 8a). When was the last time you took a trip to a prison, just to visit the inmates and show them some love? When last did you visit a friend mistreated by life’s wrong decisions and people? What about praying for a friend who is hurt and telling them you love them?
Begin to pray now. Ask for Jesus’ heart of compassion and love; It shows empathy like none other can. He teaches that “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mat 5:7).
Just remember that those who reach out to the imprisoned or mistreated do so to Christ. They themselves will never lack a Comforter.
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