Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment Part 4: Empathy vs. Apathy

"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion." — Luke 10:33

The Good Samaritan

In Jesus’ parable, a man is beaten and left for dead. A priest sees him but crosses to the other side of the road. A Levite also passes by without helping. Both represent apathy—seeing suffering but turning away.

Then, a Samaritan—despised by the Jews—stopped. He felt compassion, tended the man’s wounds, carried him to an inn, and paid for his care. His mercy triumphed over apathy and judgment.

Mercy Takes Action

Mercy begins with compassion, a deep, gut-wrenching empathy that moves us to action. The Samaritan didn’t just feel bad for the man—he acknowledged his pain and took steps to help. This is the essence of mercy: entering into others’ struggles to bring relief and comfort.

Jesus is the ultimate example of compassion. Fully God and fully human, He empathized with humanity’s pain. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and grieved with the brokenhearted. His mercy always led to action, offering healing and restoration.

In contrast, the priest and Levite represent apathy. They saw the man’s suffering but avoided him.  Apathy often stems from a hardened heart—a refusal to acknowledge the weakness of others or the inconvenience of helping. Apathy turns away, but mercy moves toward suffering, willing to walk alongside and help.

To Love Mercy:

Look for someone in need and offer one small act of mercy, such as listening, encouraging, praying, or helping meet a need. Try to empathize with their pain and bring relief.

Prayer:

Abba Father, thank You for Your mercy. Help me to see others’ pain, feel compassion, and take action to bring comfort and hope. Teach me to love mercy. In Jeus’s name, Amen.