Doesn't it feel like people are becoming more and more divided? There's a pervasive “us vs. them” mentality that is not conducive to empathy. Many people feel isolated and lost in the modern world. It’s easy to become judgmental when others stumble or wander down the wrong paths, but coming alongside people – meeting them where they are – will have a greater impact than judging and shaming them.
It’s important to remember that Jesus counted both a zealot and a tax collector among his closest followers; his radical compassion extended beyond economic, political, and religious lines. Jesus did not write people off simply because of the place he found them. He didn’t see people as more or less deserving of his compassion. He didn’t turn others away for being on the “wrong” side.
Just as Jesus saw the needs of others and responded with compassion, let's cultivate a heart of empathy and kindness toward those around us, especially those who are confused or hurting. We all have much in common in spite of the things that try to divide us - the most important being the need for a savior. If Jesus didn’t gatekeep empathy and kindness, how could we as his followers?