Ever Praise Music

and the Joyful Harts Music Library​

Topic 9: Jesus Knows Your Pain
So many people are struggling and grieving in this time of pandemic, and moving into post-pandemic America.
At times, people despair and think that God is not there or does not understand their suffering. 


I have pondered this type of despair this week. I put on worship and praise music, as well as sermons, all week long and tried to walk in the shoes of those who are mourning, suffering, and those with waning hope. I know that God is with us.
But, I tried to understand those who believe that they have been abandoned. Many of the people say things like,

"God is God. He hasn't been through what I have been through."


In response to this cry for help, I thought of an activity for myself, and I hope that others might try it.
It is a simple activity and all that is needed is a paper and pen.

Write down some item of the human condition, then look at the life of Jesus and ask yourself this question:

During His ministry of miracles, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, did Jesus walk in our shoes?

Examples:
Homelessness                                                            The Son of Man has no place to lay His head

Humiliation                                                                  Paraded before Pilate and the people, stripped of his own clothes,                                                                                      draped in red, and wearing a crown of thorns.

Rejection                                                                     Pilate gave the people the choice between a great prophet and                                                                                           an insurrectionist. Jesus was not chosen.

Loss of a loved one                                                     Joseph and Lazarus


Poor                                                                            Jesus had no place to lay His head, but was confronted about the                                                                                        payment of tithes and offerings (while homeless).


Beating and Torture                                                     Endured beating within an inch of His life and crucified                                                                                                         shortly thereafter.


Painful Death                                                               Detailed in the Gospels of the Bible and Roman History



Misunderstood                                                             The doubters, accusers, and nay-sayers followed Him everywhere                                                                                       He went. They staged embarrassing questions, told lies,                                                                                                      and accused Him of being an agent of the devil.


Taken for Granted                                                         Jesus withstood the humiliation of standing before
                                                                                      Pilate when He was the man who raised the dead, 
                                                                                      fed five thousand, healed the sick, and brought 
                                                                                      countless numbers of people into the knowledge 
                                                                                      of the love of God.


Misunderstood Tears                                                     Jesus wept. Tears of compassion and empathy are 
                                                                                      often mistaken for hopelessness and despair. Jesus
                                                                                      wept with the family of Lazarus out of love, 
                                                                                      empathy, and compassion knowing that He was
                                                                                      about to bring Lazarus out of the grave. He understood

                                                                                      what they had endured for the previous four days.


Living in Troubled Times                                               Roman Occupation of the Old World was filled
                                                                                      oppression and violent suppression.


Dealing with Difficult Children                                        All of us.


Dealing with Difficult Family                                          People of His own town rejected Him.  
                                                                                      Again, all of us.


Cancel Culture                                                               The shouting crowd. If they so much as think you have a flaw,
                                                                                       they will attempt discount the resurrection of Lazarus.


Persecution of a People                                                 Golgotha was a symbol of severe torture, severe pain,
                                                                                       and a constant reminder of the subjugation of a people.

                                                                                       Jesus stayed on the cross and would not come down in order
                                                                                       to finish God's plan. God's plan was to show His people that He                                                                                           understands what He is asking us to do.


The list can go on and on. The human condition is vast. These are things we all know in our hearts.
This activity is just a way to make it plain for those who are reflecting on the difficulty of the time in which we live.
Scripture: Matthew 5 (Jesus Knows All of Us)

As an individual who received this idea in tears, I would like to highlight that there are spiritual tears which people shed as they come into new understandings, are given new ideas, and shed old concepts and impressions. Tears can be

a part of an emotional and spiritual transition to a new level. In some cases, they are tears of gratitude. In other cases, they are tears of the completion of a cycle of knowledge and awareness.

View Topic 10: "We Are One Body"