Do you sometimes wonder if God really knows what it is like to be poor, rejected by people or sick with aches and pains. Perhaps you are asking, “Does God really understand what I am going through?”
My friend, Jesus was no stranger to emotional or physical pains, poverty or hardships. He was born into a poor family. He had a smelly manger for His birthplace (see Luke 2:7). From an early age, as a carpenter, He knew all about working hard with His hands, standing on His feet all day long and returning home with aches in His body.
The religious leaders of His day made life difficult for Him. They challenged His authority (see Matthew 21:23) and tested His teachings (see Matthew 19:3). They also called Him a glutton, winebibber, friend of tax collectors and sinners (see Matthew 11:19), and blasphemer (see Mark 2:7).
They said that He was demon-possessed and mad (see John 10:20), put Him on the spot when they brought an adulterous woman to Him (see John 8:2–11), attempted to stone Him (see John 8:59, 10:31–39) and accused Him of perverting the nation (see Luke 23:2).
Have you been chased out of your home because of your Christian beliefs? Jesus understands what you are going through. He was chased out of His own hometown (see Luke 4:29). Have you been rejected by someone you love? Jesus also experienced the pain of being denied by a loved one (see Luke 22:54–62) and betrayed by one considered close to Him (see Luke 22:47–48). He also knows all about the sickness you are suffering because He bore your sicknesses and pains on the cross (see Isaiah 53:4).
Jesus certainly understands all that we are going through because being born fully Man, He was “in all points tempted as we are.” He endured His sufferings for our sakes, so that we can have His peace and the anointing to rise above the troubles we are facing!
"I'M HERE TO TELL YOU" EDITOR'S NOTE
The peace of Christ is the gift of God. When we accept what Jesus did on the cross for ourselves, we become redeemed back to the Father. We receive the love of Christ, the righteousness of Christ and the peace of Christ. We can be sure of His love and that we are forgiven. Equipped with that knowledge, we can live at peace with God and with the world. Do we? Do you have the peace of Christ in your heart? It's there for the taking. What has to happen is to become conscious of Christ and not of our sins. Our sins have been paid for, the debt is gone. The guilt and the condemnation are gone. If we feel something is wrong, it's because we haven't gotten the peace of Christ. Without this peace we will never enjoy the bliss of heaven here on earth. Today, ask God to grant you this peace of Christ. It's available to you because of Jesus. You don't have to do anything but accept it. Take it, it's yours - today - the peace of Christ.
