My good friend got a frightening diagnosis. I hadn’t experienced her pain, but I got her in touch with a family member who had. We prayed earnestly for years for our friends’ son who had drifted. Why were we so committed? Because we personally understood their pain. A friend’s brother committed suicide. Who was able to come alongside? Our pastor whose brother committed suicide. A friend is caring for her mother who has dementia. Who can sympathize and give good advice? Those of us whose parents had dementia. What I’m trying to say is that we all crave the sympathy and help of those who have faced similar heartaches as ours and have come through it.
The other day I was praying and it hit me that Jesus is able to sympathize and help me because he experienced the same things I am. He completely understands. I started listing my heartaches and realized he had the same ones. He is tender with us because he’s been in our shoes. Yet, he never messed up so he can gently guide us through to the other side. Here’s a short list of common heartaches and how Jesus also experienced these hurts during just the last week of his life. (He had so many other hurts like ours during his lifetime. But there were too many for one blog!) He is equipped to help us because he understands and he came out the other side.
You’ve tried so hard, but the results weren’t what you’d hoped for. Jesus understands. He was moved to tears because people didn’t cooperate.
“how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37
Someone you invested a lot of time in turned on you. Jesus understands. One of his inside circle who had spent day and night under his teaching, decided to join the opposition.
“ From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.” Matthew 26:16
You wish God’s will didn’t have to be so hard. Jesus understands. He dreaded what obeying God was going to cost.
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!“ John 12:27-28
You had only temporary acceptance. Jesus understands. The people only stayed with him when they thought he would do what they wanted. Crowds cheered for the King on Sunday, but yelled for his death on Friday.
“But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed.” Luke 23:23
You feel sad because of friends’ weaknesses, but you hope for their success. Jesus understands. He held onto hope for Peter to return after his failure.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
You desperately need back-up, but your closest friends let personal needs prevent them from helping. Jesus understands. His friends were too tired to be with him. He was disappointed but compassionate. He gave them credit for wanting to help.
“He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me… Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:37-38, 40-41
You’re in a bind and your dear friend bursts in with an unhelpful response. Jesus understands. Sometimes friends’ enthusiasm is misdirected.
“ When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.
But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” Luke 22:49-51
You counted on someone close, but they let you down. Jesus understands. His friends made empty promises.
“Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Matthew 26:33-34
You feel lonely. Jesus understands. His friends left him when he needed them the most. He had to face his last torturous hours alone. Then on the cross, even his Heavenly Father had to turn away.
“On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,
‘God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Matthew 26:31
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34
You’ve been stung by ridicule. Jesus understands. Even during his last hours, he had to endure mocking.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Luke 23:39
“He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Matthew 27:42-43
You’re in physical pain. Jesus understands. He experienced excruciating pain.
“his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—” Isaiah 52:14
“Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head…” John 19:1
“they nailed him to the cross.” John 19:18
It’s a comfort to have Someone who understands what we’re going through. And he’s so close that we can talk to him at any time. He understands and he also helps.
“Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.” Hebrews 2:17
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15