This is true sympathy, “weeping with those who weep,” making their sorrow our own. How really our Lord does this with His people. So completely is He our Surety—that He takes our sins and infirmities, our trials and sorrows upon Himself as if they were all and entirely His own. Our sins were so completely laid upon Him—that not one remains charged to the account of those who believe in Jesus.
Our present griefs are so entirely absorbed in Him, that,softened by His love, soothed by His sympathy, supported by His grace— the trial is welcome, the affliction is sweet, and the rod of a Father’s chastening, buds and blossoms into delectable fruit.
Bereaved mourner, the sympathy of Christ is yours! The same Savior who wept at the grave of Bethany now shares your grief. Do not imagine that your sorrow is isolated, or that your tears are forbidden or unseen. You have a merciful and faithful High Priest who is touched with your present calamity.
There exists no sympathy so real, so perceptive, so deep, so tender, so sanctifying as Christ’s sympathy.
If your heavenly Father has seen it wise and good to remove from you the spring of human pity—it is but that He may draw you closer beneath the wing of Jesus’ compassion, presence, and love.
O child of sorrow, will not this suffice, that you possess Christ’s sympathy—as immeasurable and exhaustless as the ocean—as exquisite and changeless as His being! Yield your heart to His rich compassion!
-Octavius Winslow
