Am I Understood?

God has placed so many different people in my life. They all have different, beautiful stories to tell, and they're all unique and wonderful because they were created that way. Despite how many differences there are, we humans share so many similarities as well. We all need love, we all need Jesus, we all enjoy the good things this life has to offer, et cetera. But one of the most significant characteristics we share is the point I want to make with this post:

We all know pain. 

People experience life in different ways, and no life story is going to look exactly like another - our God is far too creative for that. But each person who has ever lived in this world that is fallen and cursed knows what it's like to hurt. Physical, emotional, and spiritual pain is just a part of this life, but that fact doesn't necessarily make it easier to accept. 

If you read my last post, you know how I feel about talking things out. I don't care who you are or how you were raised - talking through pain is good for you, period. Why is that though? Well, not only do you have someone who is listening to you and caring for your heart, but you receive sympathy. If you're really lucky, you'll get some good advice, too.

How does it make you feel when another person looks at you and says something along the lines of, "I understand," or "I'm so sorry you're hurting," or even, "You're gonna be okay," with all the sincerity they can muster up? For me, and for a lot of people, it feels good to know that someone can relate to my suffering. It's comforting to realize that the person who has been there and done that can honestly look at me and say that everything is going to be alright. There is unbridled power in compassion.

So here's an interesting idea that I've had to consider over and over again: If Jesus is compassion and love, He must be able to understand what I'm going through, right? But when we put Him on an unreachable pedestal - so perfect, dignified, and emotionless - this becomes impossible.

Now don't get me wrong here, people. Jesus was God. He was absolutely perfect in every way. But He was also human in every way. The whole point of His coming to earth was so that God would take Himself away from this unreachable place and make Himself totally available to us - salvation had come in the form of grace. Are you following me here?

Jesus's life on earth was not so perfect that He didn't know pain, or what it felt like to suffer. In fact, Scripture says that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, emphasis added.)

 I'm solemnly reminded of this on Good Friday.

 Just a few examples of His magnificent ability to sympathize:

1. Jesus knows what it feels like to be tempted to sin. Yeah, even God Himself had to say no to things and deny His flesh. And He did so perfectly. (Matthew 4)

2. Jesus knows what it feels like to be stressed out. Remember the sweat drops of blood? If not, read Luke 22:44. Scripture says He was "in anguish" as He prayed. So I guess you could say it was more than just stress.

3. Jesus knows what it feels like to have friends and family walk away... To have promises broken, and to be let down. During Jesus's years of ministry, His family thought He was nuts (Mark 3:21). In the garden as He was being arrested, the disciples who had followed Him so closely for so long fled for safety, leaving Him alone with His persecutors (Mark 14:50). Oh, and speaking of that...

4. Jesus knows what it feels like to be completely, and utterly alone. Not only to be forsaken by all the people He loved so dearly, but even by His Father (Matthew 27:46). I praise Him that because of His sacrifice, I will never have to know that kind of sorrow.

Jesus knew what it meant to have friends, to have a best friend, to be taken care of by a Mom, to laugh, to cry, to stub His toe, to get a splinter, and so many other things. He bore unimaginable things we will never have to, as well.

Next time you feel alone, stuck in a cloud of depression, saddened by the absence of a loved one, overwhelmed with any emotion, or just down, remember that Jesus gets it. Not only does He get it because He once felt it, but He sees you and knows you for all that you are. He knows our pain, and longs to be the One to hold us through it. On the other side of things, the next time you feel overjoyed, excited, tickled by a joke, glad, or just plain happy, know that Jesus understands that too. It makes Him happy to see you happy. Rejoice with Him.

Accepting the Lord for all that He is includes this: He gets it. To be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known, and you, my friend, are LOVED.

This Friday is "Good" only because of the tragedy that occurred in the life of our Savior; from that came the best bit of "good" that anyone has ever known. If you allow yourself to feel the heaviness of this day, remember this... Sunday is coming.

Thanks for reading and experiencing life with me.

Be encouraged,
Lauren Elizabeth Butler
(LB)

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