During the pandemic, I had the time to be out in my favorite place, my garden, and to listen to podcasts that helped me think and grow. My favorite was Tim Keller’s Gospel in Life. Tim had such a gift for presenting fresh and complex material in an understandable way and always staying true to the gospel message. I particularly loved how Tim would wrap up every message by pointing to Jesus, reminding people how Jesus went before us, could empathize with us, and had gone through much more difficult circumstances than we ever had. The message never got old. I had some heavy problems to deal with during that time but not a lot of influence in how they turned out. And it was such a blessing to be reminded of Jesus’ compassion and encouragement. Remembering Jesus’ care and example reminded me that He understands us.
Jesus Empathizes
The most difficult aspect of hard times, I think, is a feeling of isolation. When problems and demands come at us in a flood, it’s so easy to start floundering and to feel completely alone. Not only does it feel that we are the only ones who are responsible for keeping our head above water, we can feel so responsible for saving the day for others.
Like the ground in my garden soaking up rain, I soaked up Pastor Keller’s message: Jesus experienced every possible temptation, yet He did not sin, and He empathizes with us:
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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Rather than getting stuck in feelings of isolation, I could be confident knowing that Jesus would meet me with grace and encouragement. I could move past worries disguised as prayers by asking: “Can I influence this situation, yes or no?” If the answer was no, I’d leave that concern with Jesus, asking Him to take care of it. I no longer had to struggle with the burden of being like Jesus. I could rest in knowing He was all powerful and that I could rest in His care.
We’re Never Too Far Gone
Struggles and difficulties can also leave us feeling shame. We can feel that our experiences set us apart from others. We can feel that we’re too far gone, too marginalized, too strange, too broken. We can feel that if we had just turned left when we turned right, we’d have had a better childhood, or if we weren’t wired the way we are, we’d be in a much different situation. Compounding the problem are the voices of those who are like “Job’s friends” – those who feel qualified to advise from a lofty distance. Shame is such a deadly emotion and so easy to fall into during times of trouble. For this reason I love the first verses of Hebews 12:
…. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12: 1-3
Realize that Jesus, condemned to die on a cross, how unbelievably shameful that judgment was. Yet Hebrews tells us “He endured the cross and scorned its shame.” Scorned its shame! Jesus’ shame was so much greater than anything I’ve endured, and he scorned that shame! No matter what we go through, Jesus has gone through so much worse. We can stay the course in our lives, looking to His example and running our race with confidence.
Meditate on this hymn; remember that Jesus understands our trials and temptations and that we are never alone.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/jesus-what-a-friend-for-sinners/75639834?i=75639639
by Sherry Sommer
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