I Feel You, Part 2

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

In our last post, we talked about how the scripture, “Jesus wept” showed that Jesus “felt” the pain and disappointment of Mary and Martha with the passing of their brother Lazarus. Although Jesus clearly said that He was going to raise him from the dead, He didn’t doubt His Word, but wanted those around them (and those of us who read about it) to know that He knows what we go through.

When Christ was here on earth, He was very much God and very much human at the same time. Amazing! He had feelings and emotions and WHATEVER we’re going through, He’s already been there, done that and gotten the t-shirt, and… He “feels” us.

He knows what it’s like to do something so wonderful for other people and not receive any appreciation. For example, in Luke 17, ten men with leprosy cry out to Jesus to heal them. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went, all ten of them were healed. However, only ONE of them returned to give Him glory and thanks - and Jesus’ response was, “Weren’t there ten men cleansed? So where are the other nine to say thank you?”

He knows what it’s like to be turned against. There was a great crowd of people laying down palms as Jesus rode through Jerusalem on a donkey, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of Lord!” And yet, those same people, just one week later were crying out something totally different — “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” John 12, John 19

He knows what it’s like to be rejected. The Bible says that He went to His own people and they didn’t receive Him, and over 2,000 years later, people are still rejecting Him. Have you ever been rejected for over 2,000 years? So, He knows what it feels like to be rejected for a job you’ve applied for, from a spouse who wants to end the marriage, from children who no longer want you in their lives, and from friends who don’t want to speak with you anymore. He knows.

He knows what it’s like to love someone who isn’t even thinking about you. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Have you ever felt like you’ve gone through so much and you’re now at the end of your rope, and where is God? Jesus knows how that feels too! While dying on the cross, in His darkest hour, the Bible says, “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46

He knows what it feels like to be falsely accused and blamed for things that you haven’t done. So, to those who are cast-away’s and in prison due to injustices, He feels you. Matthew 26:57-68

He knows what it feels like to be physically beaten, ganged up on and assaulted. So, to the people who have suffered domestic violence and bullying, He feels you. Mark 14:64-65

He knows what it feels like to be mega-popular where crowds follow you wherever you go to hear what you have to say one day, and then to lose all of your “Twitter” followers the next day, He feels you. John 6

As King Solomon said, there’s nothing new under the sun. Whatever pain, frustration, disappointment or drama you may be feeling, Jesus knows. And as the old hymn goes, “Oh! What peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pains we bear, ALL because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

Take your concerns to your High Priest, the only One who feels you and can heal you.