Who understands us better
than our friend Jesus? He sympathises with our weaknesses. (Heb 4:15). He came
down in human form and was tempted in every way yet he endured for our sake. He
suffered for us setting an example.
Do you know the pain of
rejection, betrayal and denial from someone close to you? The greatest pain and
injury comes not from our enemies but from our friends. It is painful that the
people we expect to understand our situation and be there for us are the same
people who are either the cause of the problem or the first to abandon us and
leave us to our fate.
Most time when we go
through tough times, we wonder “Where is Jesus in all these?” Does he really
understand my circumstances? Can I trust him with my problems? These and many
other questions come to mind. It is very difficult to go through challenges
alone, we need the help of those closer to us, who understand us and can relate
to our situation.
Jesus knows us better
than we know ourselves. He understands us and sympathises with our weakness because
he was tempted in every way. He went through everything that we are going
through *He was tempted by hunger and poverty.* He was tired, sleepy and thirsty.* He
cried over the death of a loved one, Lazarus (John 11:33) *He cried over his
suffering, he was tempted to save his life *He was betrayed by his own *He was
deserted by his loved ones *He was denied by his own and He was persecuted
Jesus was overwhelmed
by his suffering, he understood the implication of taking the sins of the world
on him- this meant alienation from God. He needed the support of his friends,
so he took Peter, James and John to pray along with him. But instead of praying
with Jesus and giving him the support he needed, they were sleeping. They were
unreliable at that time. (Mark 14:32-42). How sad! L
During the Passover feast,
Jesus told his disciples about his betrayal and death. He said they will
dessert him. The disciples were not pleased with this; they vowed to never
dessert him (Mark 14:27-41) but as soon as Jesus was arrested, the fled (Mark
14:50). These were the same people who vowed to never leave his side. Jesus
experienced the pain of being abandoned; his friends let him down when he
needed them the most. Jesus has been in your situation before so he understands
what you are going through.
Approaching people
about our problems can be very difficult. Sometimes we may not have the
confidence to tell our fellow believers in Christ or those close to us about
what we are going through. It is a
blessing having someone who understands us, who can relate to our situation
because they have been there before, someone who knows us and can read our
every thoughts even when you don’t have the words to express them, someone who will
never leave nor forsake us, (Heb 13:5). He is Jesus, our great high priest
interceding for us daily, (Hebrews 3:1, 4:14). We can always
talk to Jesus, he knows and understands us. He will never condemn us. Whenever
I pour my heart to Jesus, I always feel better afterwards. When you are faced
with a problem, rejoice because Jesus has already gone ahead to provide a way
of escape, (John 16:33).
For example, In Matt
14:22, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go to the other side; he
told them he was going to meet them. The disciples faced a storm; they were
terrified and wondered what Jesus was up to. While they were being tossed by
the wind, Jesus was on the mountain praying for them. Jesus met them right at
the middle of the storm. While they were terrified, Jesus was interceding
for them. Jesus is our mediator (1Tim 2:5), pleading on our behalf and the Holy
Spirit is also busy interceding for us (Rom 8:26). With our best friend Jesus
and the Holy Spirit pleading on our behalf to the father, there is absolutely
no problem in our lives that cannot be solved.
So if you are facing
challenges and you feel abandoned by those around you, relax and talk to your
friend Jesus who understands you. He will not only listen to you but will also
deliver you from that problem.
Don’t hate those who
abandoned you during your trials. Jesus was betrayed, abandoned and denied by
his own, he was persecuted by the priests, the teachers of the law and the
people he came to save yet as he hung on the cross he prayed for everyone that
the father will forgive our sins. Oh, what a loving friend!!!