Do you ever wish there was someone you could talk to? Someone who would understand the challenges you face at any given moment? But maybe, as you think of all your friends and family, and perhaps even your church pastor, sometimes it seems that there is no such person.
I was reading in the New Testament book of Hebrews and came across this fascinating verse of scripture.
Hebrews 5:8 says, “Jesus…learned obedience from what he suffered.”
What an interesting verse. Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered. He learned obedience by actually obeying. Jesus did not learn how to obey; He learned what is involved in obedience. Jesus learned the experience of obedience, and part of that learning was enduring suffering.
One thing that God, enthroned in heaven does not know is the experience of obedience. Enthroned in the heavens, God obeys no one – all obey Him.
· Jesus obeyed in the spectacular challenges of his life.
· Jesus obeyed in ordinary aspects of life.
· Jesus obeyed as a child, as a teen, as a young man.
· Jesus obeyed privately and He obeyed secretly.
· Jesus obeyed God His Father, and He obeyed rightful human authority.
· Jesus obeyed in all things, even to the end.
Here’s the point from this verse in the Book of Hebrews. I want you to see this. Jesus experienced what we experience. Jesus was tested like are. Jesus suffered like we do. Though it all he experienced what it was like to be obedient.
Today we serve a God who understands our lives. He understands our joy and our happiness. He understands our pain and our sorrow. Jesus understand when we go through trials, temptations, and even suffering because he has been there.
Hebrews 4:15 says, “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.”
That High Priest is Jesus Christ. And in Him, I realize that I am not alone. There is someone I can talk to, who will understand exactly what I’m going through and what I need at any given moment… because He’s been there! The same is true for you!
I love it that this verse tells us that Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses. Jesus feels empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and to share the feelings of another.
To the ancient Greeks, the primary attribute of God was the essential inability to feel anything at all. Jesus isn’t like that. He knows and He feels what we go through. The ancient Greek word translated sympathize literally means “to suffer along with.”
What makes the difference is that Jesus added humanity to His deity, and lived among us. When you have been there, it makes all the difference.
John 1:14 speaking of Jesus says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
I hope you’ll be encouraged by the knowledge that whatever you are going through, Jesus understands. He understands weariness. He understands grief and sorrow. He understands frustration. He understands the constant demands of life. He even understands your temptations.
Today’s Challenge: It’s so easy for us to feel alone and to believe that no one understands what we are going through. Stand on the Word of God today that tells us that Jesus understands. He is with you and will provide whatever you need.
