Who Truly Understands?

We have probably all heard the statement, or uttered it ourselves, “you don’t understand!” Parents hear their teenagers declare this. Friends say it among each other, as well as work colleagues discussing the boss. There are situations throughout life that may cause us to consider — no one truly understands. Such a belief creates a feeling of helplessness around us. We feel alone because no one understands what we are going through; so we tell ourselves.

I came upon Hebrews 5:7 this week. It is referring to the time Jesus died an horrendous death to pay for the sins of the whole world. He was 100% God and He was 100% man; therefore, He felt everything we feel. Just before He was arrested and taken away to be publicly executed by crucifixion, He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Actually, He was pleading. Verse 7 tells us, “While Jesus was here on earth, He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the One who could rescue Him from death.” Some of that prayer is recorded in Matthew 26:39, “…He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.”

When Jesus “fell to the ground and prayed,” He was expressing two things: agony and submission. He knew what was coming if the situation was unchanged. He was in turmoil, tears flowing, face to the ground, but Jesus trusted His Father. This is key! In His tears He was able to say to His Father, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.” In the depths of suffering, hoping His predicament could be changed to fulfill His mission another way, He focused on something vital to being blessed Himself and to being a blessing to others. He focused on obedience. Jesus knew, obedience brings blessings; not some of the time, but all of the time.

The next time we experience the deepest throes of grief, or wrestle with tormenting, emotional pain, may we remember Jesus. He understands best of all. He has been there, face down, weeping in despair, seeking a way out, but ultimately trusting His Father to bring Him through. Now Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father. He basks in glory. He represents us to His Father. He is waiting for His Father to say, “It’s time, Son. Go and get Your bride.” Then we, the body of believers, the bride, will be blessed with eternal joy in a place where tears and pain exist no more.

The next time any of us feels — no one understands — may we remember this incident in the life of Jesus and know beyond all doubt — He understands and He cares deeply for the pain we suffer, for every tear we cry, and He will bring us through.