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Moving from Apathy to Empathy

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.  And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’  And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’  But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” LUKE 16:19-31ESV 

AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF PEOPLE…

HELPS ME PIVOT TOWARD EMPATHY

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” MATTHEW 5:43-45 NIV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 NIV

It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  ROMANS 14:11-12 NIV

GIVES ME GOD’S POWER TO ENDURE

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.   1 PETER 5:10 ESV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-17 NIV  

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 JOHN 5:11-12 ESV

MOVES ME TO WARN OTHERS

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. HEBREWS 10:31 NIV

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men… 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11 KJV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a deep breath. Maybe, take a few deep breaths, quiet your mind, and invite God’s love to fill you right now. Think about the last few months. When was a time that someone demonstrated empathy and compassion for you? What did they do that makes it memorable? Consider Jesus’s great empathy and compassion for us, bearing the cross and dying that we might “have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus saw us from an eternal perspective and he loved us when we were unlovable, desiring that we should be transformed by his love and spend forever with him. What a revolutionary example he set for us as a way to love people! Ask God who it is in your life right now that may be difficult for you to love. How can you see them from an eternal perspective and have empathy towards their condition, patience with their flaws, and a genuine concern for their well-being? Dedicate some time this week every day to pray for them and for your own heart towards them to be moved to love and compassion.

Discussion Questions

  1. What stood out to you in your personal Bible reading or worship time like this week? How did it impact the way you thought or felt about yourself, God, and others?
  2. Read Luke 16:19-25. What are some things you go to for comfort, security, or recognition? How might these things distract you from being real with yourself, God, and others?
  3. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-17. Describe a time when you went through short-term pain so that you could have a long-term gain? How might an eternal perspective of suffering help you endure future troubles?
  4. Read Luke 16:27-28. If you knew you only had one day left to live, who would you spend your last day with and what would you say to them?
  5. Read 1 John 5:11-12. How would your life change if every day you remembered that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and that those who do not have Jesus do not have eternal life?
  6. Read Matthew 5:43-45. Think about one or two people who are difficult for you to love. Share with your group some specific ways you could love them and point them to Jesus this week.