Jesus Understands (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

© Michael Bednarek | Dreamstime.com

How many times have we said or heard, “You just don’t understand.”  And it is true; we have trouble understanding each other.  We see things from such different perspectives; opinions stand in the way; personal backgrounds differ, etc. But Jesus doesn’t suffer from such afflictions. In Hebrews 4:15 it states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin."

We know that Jesus feels our pain. The shortest verse in the Bible tells us, “Jesus wept.”  Jesus knows about our suffering because He had to suffer so much Himself. He is the perfect leader who never asks us to do anything that He hasn’t also done Himself. Meditate on the following verses as you seek the Lord for relief from your pain, too.

Jesus knew weariness: "...Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well." (John 4:6)

We all get weary but Jesus leads the way to strength and victory.

Jesus knew sorrow: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." (Matthew 26:38)

Some of you may be in great sorrow and loss right now, but look to the only One who can comfort you in it.

Jesus knew rejection: "From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him." (John 6:66)

Words and actions can hurt so deeply, and you may be reeling from something someone just said or did. So look to Jesus who will help heal the wound of being “stabbed in the heart”.

Jesus knew temptation: "...he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan." (Mark 1:13)

You have tried so hard, but that weakness in your character and your soul keeps coming back at you. You feel like a dog chasing its tail.  Let Jesus break the cycle so you can break free!

Jesus knew frustration: "He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables...'get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!’'" (John 2:15-16).

Oh, how many times have you been through something over and over again, and you just can’t seem to have the victory? Let Jesus soften those feelings (which are often based in pride). Let Jesus smooth the way to either get the resolve or the relief. He can give you the peace that keeps escaping your grasp.

Jesus knew disappointment: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks...but you were not willing." (Luke 13:34)

That job just slipped through your hands; that pay raise never materialized; that spouse is getting worse instead of better; your teenagers are getting more distant with every moment...it is getting darker each day. Let Jesus help change your perspective and your insight. He will lead you in the way you should go and disappointment shall flee.

Jesus knew ridicule:  "Again and again they struck Him...and spit on Him. Falling on their knees, they paid [mocking] homage to Him." (Mark 15:19)

Again and again, they mock you at work for taking the higher moral road. Friends just don’t understand why you take purity in all things so seriously. Every day a mocking joke or comment is slipped your way. Let Jesus hold your heart (and your mouth) that you could see others as He sees them, and the hurt from their laughter will fade and turn to earnest love for them and their salvation.

Jesus knew poverty: "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." (Matthew 8:20)

You just can’t seem to get ahead; the car is 15 years old and costing a fortune in repairs; the roof needs repair; the grocery list gets thinned out more each week...when will it end? Let Jesus show you how to look beyond your lack and into abundance in Him. The world may have lots of “stuff”, but you are a child of the King, and He has great things for you!

Jesus knew loneliness: "...My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

No one calls. The kids are off on their own journey and rarely stop by. The church seems blind to your needs. Whoa is me!  Let Jesus fill your heart. It is amazing what an intimate relationship with Jesus can do to fill those “soul holes”.

Jesus REALLY understands...run to Him!

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