I'm Suffering With You

One of the great stories of the Old Testament is the story of Ruth and Naomi.   In essence:  Naomi implores her two daughters in law -- Ruth and Orpah, recently widowed -- to leave her -- since she cannot bear any more sons.   “Go back -- each of you -- to your mother’s home..."  (Ruth 1:8).   

But there's more:  Naomi also wishes her daughters in law -- affection and regard:   May the Lord show you kindness -- as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands -- (my sons) -- and to me.” (Ruth 1:8).   

It’s striking: the word for kindness in this text is one of the deepest, richest words in the Hebrew language – hesed.  I speak of hesed frequently – but frankly one can’t really speak of hesed enough – for hesed – is not only the essence of the story of Ruth and Naomi – hesed is the essence of the story of God – defining most precisely – the extreme love of God.   

Now frankly – though kindness or loving-kindness is the traditional translation of hesed – such words don’t do hesed justice.  For me a more literal – and accurate translation -- of hesed -- is:  generous empathy and compassion.   

I especially value an emphasis on generous compassion.    For the literal meaning of compassion is – ‘to suffer with…” And boy does that demonstrate extreme love.  I mean if someone is willing “…to suffer with you…’ during the barren seasons – that’s unbelievable – unconditional – inconceivable love – God’s love – hesed love.  

Mary Jo Flory-Steury was a dear friend and colleague.  A few weeks ago, we lost Mary Jo suddenly,  and we’ve been in shock ever since.  But also empathetic – reaching out to her husband Mark in several ways – including through the social media outlet Facebook.   
      

As I struggled with what to say to Mark -- in the midst of unspeakable grief -- several options came to mind:  well do I say -- 'I'm praying for you' -- 'I feel for you' -- 'I'm sorry for you."  Frankly -- none of those phrases seemed to be enough.  And so I got radical - I got extreme -- and I said to Mark:  'I am suffering with you -- and walking with you -- as long as it takes..."

There's nothing wrong with saying:  "I'm sorry for you" -- but the story of Ruth and Naomi challenges us to go further and say:  "I'm suffering with you" -- and "I'll walk with you -- as long as it takes..."

And so I want to challenge you to picture someone in your relational world who indeed is suffering.  And then this week, do more than say:  "I'm sorry for you -- say I'm suffering with you -- and will walk with you -- as long as it takes..."

That's extreme love – God’s love – hesed love!