Feeling Like Jesus
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:7-11
One of the things that is a motivating belief of my journey of faith is to better understand God not only through His word but also scholars, pastors, and fellow Christians with a wide range of perspectives. My goal is never to have agreement. It is to further challenge my beliefs so that while they are foundational in Christ they are tempered and tested (think Proverbs 27:17). The other day was another opportunity to dare I say temper and test my beliefs. A fellow Christian made the statement, "Empathy can be toxic and lead to sin." Their point of view made sense that if empathy led to acceptance of sin, it would be indeed sinful. This is something I agree with.
The problem is their definition of empathy. Empathy can be defined as the ability to understand another person’s perspective by imagining oneself in their situation. It does not inherently involve affirmation. Thus, as a Christian, it is empathetic to understand how one could sin. However, it is neither condoning nor approving such an act. Without delving into the specifics of individual transgressions, it is possible to objectively consider any wrongdoing and comprehend the rationale behind such actions, without endorsing or condoning them. Doing so exemplifies "sympathy" as described in 1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." The passage encourages Christians who share common beliefs to express sympathy toward one another, but if you are sympathizing with someone living a life of sin, you are likely embracing unhealthy behaviors as well. So, where does Christ fall on the topic of empathy?
We are blessed to have a savior in Jesus Christ who empathizes with us. We are not the first to wrestle with this tension. Many of us fear that if we lean in with feeling, we might slide into approval (sympathy). Others back away from people’s pain because we do not know what to say. Still others offer truth without tenderness and wonder why hearts close. Into this confusion, Jesus shows us a better way. He feels with us without ever affirming what harms us.
John 8:7–11 offers a vivid example. In the temple courts, Jesus faces a circle of accusers and a single, exposed woman. He stoops to the dust and says, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, the stones fall silent, and the crowd disperses. Then Jesus lifts His eyes to meet hers and says, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Here we see empathy without endorsement and compassion without compromise. He feels with her in her fear and shame, protects her dignity from the fury around her, and then calls her to a new way of life. Grace leads, and truth follows closely behind.
Christlike empathy begins by drawing near before speaking. Jesus positions Himself between the vulnerable and the violent, reminding us that love moves toward people in their pain rather than standing back with tidy answers. This nearness does not blur moral lines. Instead, it prepares a heart to hear them. Christ also sees the whole person, not just the failure. He addresses a daughter who He sees value. Not a case file or a cautionary tale. Such seeing restores the image of God that sin tries to erase. And when Jesus names reality, He does so with clarity and hope. “Go, and sin no more,” is not harsh. It is His love offering freedom. In His cadence we learn the gospel’s rhythm of no condemnation, then new direction of tenderness that ushers in transformation.
As with all things we have learned in our journey of faith, God’s way is always better. This view of Christlike empathy reshapes our practice. When conversations turn accusatory, empathy slows the moment so understanding can surface. Listening becomes an act of protection, and questions become bridges rather than traps. After we have truly heard, a single, well-chosen word of Scripture can point to the next faithful step. Such presence does not excuse what harms us as Christians. Instead, it creates conditions where repentance, reconciliation, and obedience are indeed possible. In community, this is how we bear one another’s burdens and speak the truth in love by holding grace and holiness together the way Jesus does.
As we consider this scene, let this tender our hearts and temper our instincts. Where have you confused understanding with agreeing, and how might the Lord be inviting you to feel with others while still honoring His truth? Who in your life needs you to “stoop to the dust” with them: listening first, then gently pointing toward hope and a new path in Christ? My prayer is that we would learn to feel with others as Jesus does, offering tears, truth, and tangible love that lead hearts back to Him. Amen.