When Hudson Taylor went to China as a missionary in the mid 1800’s people thought he was crazy because, as an Englishman, he adopted the Chinese way of dressing. He also shaved his entire head except for a bit in the back that he dyed black and put in a braid, a custom of Chinese men. 

But he did these things for a good reason. As explained by his biographer, Vance Christie, Hudson Taylor “…desired to do this in order to lessen cultural barriers to the dissemination of the gospel and to show his high regard for the native culture he was trying to reach.”

This is what I call “empathetic evangelism.” It is when you try to understand the people that you hope to influence for Christ and then with both feet you step into their world. 

This was the Apostle Paul’s model for his endeavors as a Christian missionary.  He famously stated:

“…and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law…I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospels sake…” (I Corinthians 9:20-23)

But this brilliant idea was not original with Paul.  He got it from Jesus. The supreme example of empathetic evangelism is the One who left the splendor and glory of Heaven to come and visit us in our world and accomplish our salvation. To do that He had to assume a fragile body like ours, one that could experience hunger, tears, blood, and death.  

This is what we are celebrating this Christmas. In the incarnation, Jesus humbled Himself and “made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)

To reach us Jesus became like us. This is empathetic evangelism.

Here's a question to consider: Who are you trying to reach? Would you be willing to step with both feet into their world?

Have a great day today,

Dave