ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”

(I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor and Walter Contreras)

WHY JESUS UNDERSTANDS YOUR EVERY STRUGGLE

Lesson 6 (Part 1)

INTRODUCTION

Does Jesus Christ understand your every struggle and battle. Or is He “too above it all” to really grasp the human conflict with all our tears trials and temptations? Scripture proves that only Jesus can understand and sympathize with your personal war against Satan, self and sin.

Go back over the last lesson’s first six points before studying these final seven truths that will forever keep us from accepting the devil’s lie that “God does not understand what you are going through. Jesus has failed you!” On the contrary, Christ endured all for you so that, through His grace and power, you and I might learn to trust Him in the dark places and continue to endure until the light breaks through.

Here is a brief review of Part One in this lesson of why Jesus understands your every pain and struggle.

1. His birth was mocked; to His enemies, Jesus’ birth was illegitimate.

2. He was rejected by His own family members.

3. He was rejected by his closest friends.

4. He was betrayed by an intimate associate.

5. He had no home of His own.

6. When facing His greatest suffering (the Cross), Jesus stood alone.

NOW LET’S CONTINUE:

7. Jesus experienced the worst temptations. After He had fasted for forty days and nights, Satan threw the entire book of hell at Him. Matthew 4:1 says, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” He defeated every temptation – just as you can – by speaking and believing the Word of God (Matthew 4:4,7,10). Jesus understands what you are going through and waits to be asked by you for His help and strength.

8. Once again, Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Jesus came concerning all that would happen. In Isaiah 63:3 we have the Messiah and Savior declaring, “I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the people there was none with Me…” And in John 16:32 we read, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” You will also find Him with you, no matter what trials you must face.

9. He faced total helplessness at Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:38,39, Jesus cries out to sleepy disciples, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me” Then He falls on His face and prays “Oh My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou will.” When He comes to His disciples, He finds them sound asleep. However, you will not find Christ asleep when you feel alone. Your first cry will bring His help.

10. Jesus was hated for no cause of His own. John 15:25 says concerning our Lord, “They hated me without a cause.” He is still hated by many today – for no cause of His own. When you live a pure life and stand up for the Lord, you also may face contempt and hatred from others. That is part of being a true follower of Christ.

11. He was the most unpopular person around. When those who hated Him were given a choice between Jesus and a murderer named Barabbas, they called out to Pilate to free Barabbas and execute the Son of God (Matthew 27:15-22). Once you take a stand for Jesus, you also will find you are no longer popular with your old crowd. God will give you a new family of believers who will accept and love you.

12. Jesus might have had reasons for hatred, revenge and bitterness – but only love flowed from His heart. In John 1:11 we read, “He came unto his own and his own received him not.” We cannot live in this world without being hurt and disappointed. But as we see how God forgives our sins when we confess them, we learn to forgive others who sin against us.

13. Finally, He suffered a humiliating death. Galatians 3:13 states, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Christ Himself became our curse as He paid for our sins with His own blood. You and I don’t know what the future holds for us or those we love. But no matter what sufferings await us—in life or in death—Jesus understands and will be with us each step of the way.