Jesus Knows!
"For we do not have a High Priest who
cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are,
yet without sin."
Hebrews 4:
15
Sympathy and empathy are two words often confused
but there are important differences between them. We
express sympathy when we have feelings of sorrow or
pity for someone’s misfortune or situation. Sympathy
is knowledge-based.
Empathy is when we understand and share the
feelings of another. Empathy is experience-based.
Sympathy says, “I feel for you,” and empathy says,
“I feel how you feel.”
Hebrews 4:15 uses the English word “sympathize” to
describe Jesus’ perspective with
our trials. But then
He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without
sin.” Therefore, Jesus can empathize with us
when
we are tempted because He was tempted the same
way we are.
Jesus knows our situation because He experienced
the same thing. He has walked in our shoes when it
comes to resisting temptation and human weakness.
His compassion is not just knowledge-based; it's
experience-based as well.
Jesus will intercede for you
as He has felt
how you feel.
"Empathy is your
pain in my heart."