John 1
God’s Empathy to Become One of Us!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, June 5.
We have an empathy OPPORTUNITY in our country, communities, and churches! For too long, we have been such an egocentric people that we can’t imagine that someone else might see a situation different than us. If we are going to have a future, we must learn empathy! This is the ability to share the feelings and experiences of another person. To put on their skin and to walk in their shoes. With empathy, a lot of wonderful conversations would begin. This is our time and Christians are the ones who can change everything!
Why us?
Because Christianity was birthed in empathy! Our whole faith is about the empathy of a holy God for His lost children. Listen to John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This is one of my favorite verses about Jesus’ birth. God who is spirit took on flesh and dwelt among us; this is the incarnation! Jesus Christ is God’s empathy—He literally put on our skin and walked in our sandals.
Why would God, who is holy and sovereign over all things, do such a thing? Why did God enter into our human experience and become one of us?
Love! That’s why! God shared in a human’s temporary life so that we can forever live in God’s eternal life! Empathy is driven by love and for love! Empathy is the way of Jesus!
Seize the moment and first learn to walk in the sandals of Jesus. In doing so, He will lead you to be willing to show empathy to put on someone else’s skin and learn what it’s like to walk in their shoes.
If you need any practical assistance or would like to receive a personal phone call, please dial the phone number below and someone from FBC will call you soon.