Sunday - Jan 29, 2012

Today's Lesson

Extreme Privilege: We have a Sympathizing 

High Priest

Mike Root

From Mike:

    As I was preparing this week's lesson about what it means for us to have a sympathizing high priest, I couldn't help but think about how our culture tends to discourage men from being sympathetic.  It's not something that is said or stated directly, but it's more a subtle emphasis that many, if not most, men hear from childhood.  "Real men don't show sympathy.  It's a sign of weakness."  Again, it's more inferred than declared, but it's clearly picked up by most boys who are wanting to be seen as "tough and manly" kind of guys.  Sometimes it's used as justification for being ruthless and uncaring as you fight your way to success and the top.  After all, real men are winners -- right?  If you allow yourself to sympathize -- really care about how someone else is feeling -- it will slow you down and make you soft.  From sports to the business world, the lesson is "be tough, take care of #1, and step on whoever you have to."

     The amazing thing to me is that someone thinks that truly is the definition of a "real man."  I wonder who gave us that idea?  It wasn't Jesus.  Jesus was a real man.  He was/is the best example of what a "real man" ought to be. His call for us to be compassionate and caring requires more strength and toughness than any selfish and ruthless person will ever have to have.  Being sympathetic, which is nearly the same as being compassionate, does not make anyone soft or weak.  It makes us honest, caring, unselfish, fearlessly vulnerable, and most of all, the kind of person God wants us to be.  If our desire to be like Jesus is genuine, it means we are going to have to change our thinking about sympathizing with others.