Sempathy

UV 501/10,000 Hebrews 4 v 15 Sempathy Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. More than sympathy or empathy, we need to have “ sempathy” in our lives. While empathy is said to be feeling the pain of another as if it is your own, sempathy is a word coined by me to mean spiritual empathy or feeling the pain of God as if it is your own. Jesus walking in flesh and blood on earth had the same infirmities of human nature that afflicts each of us. Yet, He remained sinless. Hence, He is able to feel our pain as if it is His own. He not only felt our pain but took our infirmities and bore our disease. The high priests of the Jewish faith tended to be insensitive, legalistic, judgemental,harsh and proud But, Jesus is the High Priest who is kind, gracious and merciful. We can approach His throne of mercy and grace with boldness and confidence, knowing that He knows all about our weaknesses, the frailties of our character. He is tolerant of our failures. He broadly understands human nature and He also knows and understands each one of us individually. He was tempted in all points as we are. He overcame temptation by using the Word of God effectively. Not only is Jesus as the High Priest tolerant and compassionate but He provides us the strength to overcome our weaknesses and to resist all kinds of temptations. Weakness is a part of human nature but the power to overcome comes from God. His touch was enough to heal a woman afflicted by bleeding for 12 long years. We can seek His touch, His power from within, His Word and the Holy Spirit in order to be empowered, enabled and equipped. We need to develop sempathy or the capacity to know and understand the things that bring both delight and pain to the heart of God. Prateep V Philip