Jesus Knows How You FeelSample

Jesus Knows What It Feels Like to Be MISUNDERSTOOD

We’ve all felt misunderstood like nobody really understands what we mean or how we feel or what we’re going through.

It happened to Jesus, too.

When He was just 12 years old, Jesus went with His family to visit the temple in Jerusalem. No trains. No buses. No cars. Instead, they walked almost 70 miles from their hometown to celebrate an important Jewish holiday. That’s a long walk.

They would have walked with a huge caravan of people – other family members, friends, and neighbors – and when the festival was over, the family headed home.

On the way home, his parents looked around and realized they couldn’t find Jesus. It was a little like a mom shopping in a giant store and realizing her child is no longer by her side.

Where could Jesus be?

They rushed back to Jerusalem and finally found Him, sitting in the temple and listening to teachers talk about God. When His mom told him how worried they were, Jesus realized that even His own parents didn’t get Him.

Jesus told them that He had to be at the temple. He wanted to learn more about God and to be in a place where He felt close to His heavenly Father.

“But they did not understand what He was saying to them.”

That wasn’t the only time that Jesus felt misunderstood. It happened all the time.

People thought Jesus should say certain things and do certain things. Even the friends closest to Him misunderstood why Jesus was here. Jesus knew what it felt like to be misunderstood, but He never forgot his purpose:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)

The next time it feels like nobody – maybe even God – understands you, go ahead and tell God all about it. Then remember 12-year-old Jesus and be sure that He knows exactly how you feel.

REFLECTION

When was the last time you felt misunderstood? Why?

DISCUSSION

How do you think God wants to respond when we are hurt by a friend? (Read John 21)