# “The almighty sympathy of Jesus” by J.C. Ryle

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2014/03/15/the-almighty-sympathy-of-jesus-by-j-c-ryle/
- Published: 2014-03-15T08:30:04-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“We learn from this passage, that our Lord Jesus Christ is _exceedingly patient 
and pitiful in dealing with His own people_. We see the disciples on this occasion
showing great want of faith, and giving way to most unseemly fears.

They forgot their Master’s miracles and care for them in days gone by. They thought
of nothing but their present peril. They awoke our Lord hastily, and cried, ‘carest
thou not that we perish?’

We see our Lord dealing most _gently and tenderly_ with them. He gives them no sharp
reproof. He makes no threat of casting them off, because of their unbelief. He simply
asks the touching question, ‘Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?’

Let us mark well this lesson. The Lord Jesus is _very pitiful_ and _full of tender
mercy_. ‘As a father pitieth his children, even so the Lord pitieth them that fear
Him.’ (Psalm 103:13)

He does not deal with believers according to their sins, nor reward them according
to their iniquities. He sees their weakness. He is aware of their short-comings.
He knows all the defects of their faith, and hope, and love, and courage.

And yet He will not cast them off. He bears with them continually. He loves them
even to the end. He raises them when they fall. He restores them when they err.

His patience, like His love, is a patience that passeth knowledge. When He sees 
a heart right, it is His glory to pass over many a short-coming.

Let us leave these verses with the comfortable recollection that Jesus is not changed.
His heart is still the same that it was when He crossed the sea of Galilee and stilled
the storm.

High in heaven at the right hand of God, Jesus is still _sympathizing_,—still _almighty_,—
still _pitiful_ and still _patient_ towards His people.

Let us be more charitable and patient towards our brethren in the faith. They may
err in many things, but if Jesus has received them and can bear with them, surely
we may bear with them too.

Let us be more hopeful about ourselves. We may be very weak, and frail, and unstable;
but if we can truly say that we do come to Christ and believe on Him, we may take
comfort.

The question for conscience to answer is not, ‘Are we like the angels? are we perfect
as we shall be in heaven?’ The question is, ‘Are we real and true in our approaches
to Christ? Do we truly repent and believe?'”

–J.C. Ryle, [_Expository Thoughts on Mark_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0851514413?tag=toletaupanre-20)(
London: William Hunt, 1859), 85-87. Ryle is commenting on Mark 4:35-41. [HT: Nick
Gardner]

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