Jesus knows. He felt the pain of betrayal. He experienced being misunderstood. He was connived against. He felt the righteous flush of anger at those whose motives and actions damaged innocents. He was pulled into battles that should not even have been being fought. He celebrated with those who were beginning new lives and he sorrowed with those who lost someone they loved. He healed spirits, minds, and bodies and had compassion for broken people. He sat with the outcasts and gave them a spiritual home. He called evil by its name and knew when it was present in the hearts of men. He called teachers and leaders to be accountable to those they led. He chided and even cursed some who set obstacles in the path of children. He gave dignity to those who were on the margins. He taught those who were without understanding. He fostered hope in others and experienced the dark reality that hope for something different could not be. He was obedient, even to death.
Hebrews 4:14-16
“[The High Priest Who Cried Out in Pain ] Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
No matter what dark night of the soul one experiences, Christ, too, has experienced the emotions and been in that dark place. But he was victorious and so can each of us be, as well. Like Jesus Christ, too, we can find strength as we call out to the Father and keep our friends close around us as much as we can, doing life with us daily and praying together for one another.
Do not be overcome by your circumstances, but be firm in your knowledge of God’s love for you and his power to bring peace, comfort, and redemption.