I Feel Your Pain

Hebrews 2:14-18

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

REFLECTION:

While it might be easy to get lost in the wordiness of the passage above, the basic point boils down to something that we’ve all heard: “I feel your pain…” Though in the Bible, this phrase takes on a much deeper meaning.

Some might remember that this phrase was a catch phrase in the 90’s. Bill Clinton famously spoke the line at a town-hall style event when he was running for President. An unemployed man stood and gave his testimony, to which Clinton replied, “I feel your pain.”

Now interestingly, because it was associated with a politician, the phrase quickly became meaningless. How can anyone really feel another’s pain anyway? Many thought it was just a ploy to win votes.

Jesus isn’t asking for your vote. Actually, Jesus isn’t asking for anything. To use the words of the passage above, Jesus became our brother, like us in every respect. He experienced the best and worst of what it means to be human, so that there is no experience we can go through that he isn’t leading us through. There is no depth of fear or despair or pain that will ever separate us from him. Because he was tested, he is able to help those who are being tested.

So, the next time you’re going through something difficult, imagine Jesus one step ahead of you, leading the way. Indeed, he’s been there before, and he knows the way out. Follow him, trust that he is with you, and do not be afraid.

PRAYER:
God of all, in the joys and challenges that confront me to today, help me to see you leading me through every step of the way. Amen.