Listen to Nancy answer the question on Moody Radio with Kelli and Steve.
We all experience times when friends and foes have frustrated us, hurt our feelings and made us angry. Loneliness and sadness set in because no one seems to understand us. God does. He knows everyone of our hurts and frustrations, and they all matter to Him. Why does the God of the universe, with all He has to do, care for us?
Jesus is God and also 100% human He suffered, was frustrated, rejected, mocked, and was lied about by His enemies. It didn’t have to be this way. ”Why did Jesus grow weary in Samaria, disturbed in Nazareth, and angry in the Temple? Why was he sleepy in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, sad at the tomb of Lazarus, and hungry in the wilderness? Why did Jesus endure all these feelings? Because he knew you’d feel them too. He knew you’d be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry.
He knew you’d face pain. If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul—pain too sharp for any drug. He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands. And because he understands, we can come to him!” (Max Lucado)
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus, God’s Son, lived on this earth. In His humanity, He still faced every temptation, frustration, and anger we all face. Jesus loves and cares for us on a level that passes all human understanding. The phrase “be touched with” comes from the Greek word “sumpatheo,” which means sharing an experience with someone or sympathizing with and having compassion for someone. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, sympathizes with every temptation and struggles we experience.
“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4)
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew10:19-21).
If there is anyone who can understand what you are going through, it’s Jesus!
Jesus experienced frustration on multiple levels with his disciples. After being with Jesus for 31/2 years, Jesus asked one thing of the disciples. They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples:
- “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John along with him and began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them.
- “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass from him.
- “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.
- “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Once more, he went away and prayed the same thing. When he returned, he again found them sleeping because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them,
- “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Mark 14:33-42)
Satan tempted Jesus in every way to get Him to deny that Jesus was God. Because He was tempted, He understands what it means to be tempted to drift from God’s call on our lives.
Not only did Jesus experience all of the emotions we experience, but unlike all of us, He never sinned in His response to His frustrations. He never became bitter, resentful, or unforgiving. He was always patient and ready to extend forgiveness and grace. Even as Jesus hung on the Cross, He prayed for those who had crucified Him by saying, “…Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34).
Jesus is on our side! When we go to Him for help, He will extend mercy and grace to help in times of need. The door is always open to go to Him and receive the comfort and grace to carry out His will for our lives. Through Him we can live our lives free of guilt which allows us to love our Father well and to love all those we meet on life’s journey well.
Hebrews 4:16, ”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.”