'He Gets You'

You know how when you go through something good or bad, it gives you insight into what others are going through and thinking? The same is true of Jesus. He gets you. When I was 16, I experienced the glorious independence of driving. Like all teenagers, it was a taste of a new kind of freedom, and I loved it. A few months later, I developed epilepsy and my license was taken from me for an entire year. It was hard to come to grips with my new reality. That experience gave me a window into the lives of others—those elderly whose licenses are taken away, and those newly diagnosed who are struggling to accept their new reality. Later, when a change in medication exposed me to frightening, dark thoughts—part of a 1–2% risk of suicidal ideation—I found myself in a valley I never expected. That gave me a whole new compassion for those struggling with crippling depression and suicidal thoughts. In both of those experiences, I knew that I wasn’t alone. I knew God was with me and understood what I was going through. God used those circumstances to help me become a better pastor, more compassionate, and able to help those in similar situations. Jesus became one of us. He knows what we are going through. He gets us.

The writer of Hebrews later tells us “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Heb 2:18). And later, He is the “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He gets you. He gets the sin that besets and entangles so easily.

In ministry, I’ve heard many confessions—people convinced their sin is unique, unfixable, unforgivable. They keep it secret, where it festers and feeds on shame like a hidden cancer. But healing only comes with confession. Back in the day, the Edwin Edwards’ campaign would say, “Vote early and vote often.” That is better applied to confession: confess early and often. Instead of hiding, run to the Great Physician. Over and over again, allow Jesus to diagnose the real problem, offer the antidote of His grace, and tend your wounds with His truth. Even when sin is extracted, healing may take time. But don’t be ashamed of the scar—it’s your declaration that you were once sick, and now you are being made whole.

No matter what you are going through, life difficulties or sin, Jesus gets you. You are never alone. You can run to Jesus who is a merciful and faithful High Priest. He’s been there. He understands.

Blessings,

Jonathan