Should we empathize with those who are grieving?

I. The Scriptural Imperative to Show Empathy

Throughout Scripture, there is a clear command to enter into the sorrow and needs of those around us. Romans 12:15 declares, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” This passage underscores a crucial reality: compassion is not optional. Engaging with others’ pain demonstrates that believers are called to reflect the loving character of God.

The apostle Paul reiterates this expectation in Galatians 6:2: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Bearing the sorrows of our neighbors is more than a suggestion—it is considered the fulfillment of God's revealed will.

II. Old Testament Examples of Compassion

The Old Testament provides numerous illustrations of empathy. In Job’s time of extreme grief, Job’s friends initially sat with him in silent mourning before later complicating his suffering (Job 2:13). While they lost their way in their counsel, their initial act of weeping with him demonstrated compassion in affliction.

Joseph’s interactions with his brothers further reveal a heart of empathy. After witnessing his brothers’ distress in Genesis 42, Joseph privately wept (Genesis 42:24). The biblical text notes his deep emotional response to their sorrow, showing that the grief of others should stir us to a compassionate heart.

III. The Example and Teachings of Jesus

The Gospels record multiple moments when Jesus deeply empathized with those who grieved or suffered. When He approached Lazarus’s tomb, He saw Mary and the other mourners weeping. Scripture says in John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” The depth of His compassion is apparent: though He knew He would raise Lazarus, He chose to weep alongside those who grieved.

In Luke 7:13, Jesus encountered a widow whose only son had died. The text says, “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.” That compassionate response led Jesus to restore her son to life. From these accounts, it is evident that genuine empathy naturally moves one to comforting actions.

IV. The Role of the Holy Spirit as Comforter

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Comforter” or “Helper” in John 14:16: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” The Holy Spirit indwells believers and shapes them to respond to others’ pain with divine compassion.

This indwelling influence equips individuals to provide comfort in ways not limited by human strength or perspective. By yielding to the Holy Spirit, one can offer a sustaining friendship and gentle support during a grieving season.

V. Empathy in the Early Church

In the New Testament record, the early Christian community demonstrated empathy and support, particularly through caring for those who had needs. Acts 2:44–45 reveals that the believers shared their possessions to care for each other’s burdens. While these verses focus on material help, the principle of fellowship and solidarity naturally extended to emotional support for those in distress.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 encourages believers not to grieve “like the rest of men, who have no hope.” This teaching nurtured a balance between acknowledging sorrow and grounding one’s comfort in the hope of Christ’s resurrection. By caring for one another practically and emotionally, the church became a living demonstration of empathy.

VI. Practical Expressions of Empathy

Christians are encouraged not only to feel compassion but also to express it tangibly. James 2:15–16 points out that good intentions are insufficient if they are not paired with action: “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, ‘Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,’ but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?”

In times of grief, these practical expressions may include listening without judgment, offering prayer and comforting words, meeting immediate needs such as meals, and consistently checking in on the grieving individual. The principle of actively loving others is seen positively throughout Scripture.

VII. Empathy as a Reflection of God's Heart

God Himself is described as “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Grieving individuals often feel alone in their storm of sorrow. By mirroring God’s compassion, believers remind the hurting that He has not abandoned them.

Extending empathy reflects a deeper understanding that God is intimately aware of each person’s pain (Psalm 56:8). By participating in another’s burden, one obeys the call to love as God loves.

VIII. Conclusion

Empathy toward those who are grieving is both biblically mandated and modeled by God Himself. From Old Testament narratives such as Joseph’s tears to Jesus’s deeply personal weeping for Lazarus to the Spirit’s ongoing comfort, Scripture paints a unified picture: believers are to stand with the sorrowful.

Such empathy is expressed through attentive presence, practical support, openhearted compassion, and unceasing prayer. In so doing, one not only ministers to those who suffer but also reflects the character of a God who is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). This call to empathize with the grieving, found throughout the Bible, remains a central component of genuine love in action.