The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 366

II. Tm: FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN SY)[PATHY, Our religion lays the deep bl\sis of all virtues in the character of God and in the redemption of Christ. The New Testa- ment always, in admonitions a.s to conduct, either states or assumes this principle. Whatever is right is commended to us e.s the will of God. Christ died to redeem u11 from iniquity, and t-0 sanctiry us unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works; and the Holy Spirit is the po'W'er of life whose fruit is holiness. 1. In Christ's media- tion we have an instance-the hkhest and most wonderful of all instanoes--of true 1iJ111pathy. Why did our Lord "risit this world? Why did he take the form of a eerrant, and become obedient unto death ? It was because he was impelled by Di"ine compassion, which is one p_ut of sympathy. He wept with those who weep because of sin and misery and helplessness. He " bore our sins and carried our sorrows : " was not that practical sympathy ? He " tasted death for every man," and "gave himself for us:," what more could he have done? Yet the other side of sympathy was present in his nature. He rejoiced in the joy of our deliverance, in the prospect of our partici- pation in the blessings of life eternal. For the joy that was set before him-which was j0y over us-he endured the cross! 2. In Christ's ministry we have beautiful examples of sympathy. He pitied the widow of Nain; he wept at the grave of Lazarus; he shed tears over the doomed Jerusalem; he commisernted the distressed daughters of the city. On the other hand, he rejoiced with those who rejoiced; he came eating and drinking; he was present at a marriage-feast, and contributed to its festivity. And when any poor wandering sinner was by his compassion recovered to the fold, the language of his heart was this: "Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."' 3. The religion of Christ provides for mutual sympathy among those who in co=on acknowledge him. In restoring peace between man and God, Jesus has virtnally rest.ored peace between man and man. As the Head, he brings all the members into a unity-living, organic, mutually helpful, and mutually sympathetic. Hence one great peculiarity of his Church, "Whether one member sufi'er, all the member.; saffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." III. THE B.ANGB oF CEBlsTuB SYlll'ATHY. We may sympathize with another's anxieties, fears, faith, fortitude, or hopes. But the apostle here refers to the two widest and commonest forms of emotion-joy and sorrow. 1. We are admonished to participa/Je in am another', rejoicing. Thank God, there are very many occasions on which this is possible; the cnp of gladness is handed round, and few are those who have not taste~ When our neighbour experiences some piece of good fortune, when aft.er sickness he is restored to health, when he is spared in the midst of danger, when he is happy in his family life, prosperous in his business, honoured among hie IU!SOciates, let UI! rejoice with him. '!'he mind that cannot so rejoice must indeed be grudging and envious. Of all vices, envy and jealousy are the pettiest and vulgarest, the remotest from a liberal, generous, Christian nature. No excuse or extenuation can be imagined for these faults, as for some others. And how shall we rejoice over the spiritual happiness of our fellow-men I When an undecided friend has yielded heart and life to the Saviour, when a disobedient one has been brought to contrition and repentance, when a brother has been enabled to exercise some Christian virtue by which good has been done to others, on such occasions it is meet and right, divinely natural and beautiful, to rejoice in our brother's joy. Paul would say, "I joy and rejoice with you all," and John had " no greater joy than to see bis children walk in the truth." 2. We are admonished to participate in one Qlfl,Other's grief-to" weep with those who weep." This is said to be eaaier than the former exercise of sympathy; for tho other seems tl.J imply our inferiority; this, our superiority. We are said to sympathize moro easily with the greater sorrows, and with the lesser joys, of our neighbours. If envy refDJ1es to rejoice with the happy, inhumanity refuses to sorrow with tho afflicted. Wll!lt a depth of malice does that heart reveal which can rejoice in the misfortunes and griefs of others I Yet, though this extreme of malignity is uncommon, it is not an ur.,common thing even for Christians to be unmoved by others' woes. N nturally, ~ympathy will be more inteIIJle towards those in closest association with ourselves; ti:iose of widest sympathies can with difficulty weep for the woes of the distant and ur,l'.r.,o·.rn. With our own family and congregation, with our own circle of friendA, b)'tupdt1y will, in time of trial. be ready, tender, and warm. With the widow and tho CaLb.crless, the aged and the infirm, the wifortunate and the deserted, the oppressed and Clll, xrL 1-21.] TH.t EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 865