He Knows Us

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin." - Hebrews 4:15 NIV

The greatest leaders are not the ones who know you from a distance. The greatest leaders are the ones who have been in the same ring as their people. As a result, they know their people, as well as their struggles experientially.

This is one of the many reasons why Jesus is the greatest leader we could ever know and follow.

He not only knows us by way of his omnipotence, but also by way of experience. He is not a distant God, but is incredibly near.

Jesus is referred to as a man of sorrows; our suffering servant. He is well-acquainted with pain, more than we’ll ever know or experience.

Isaiah 53:3-5 says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him.”

His suffering was necessary.

Hebrews 2:17-18 says, “Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself had suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.”

The best form of help comes from someone who has been through the storm just like you have. Jesus identifies with us not just because he is God, but because he is well-acquainted with suffering.

His mercy and faithfulness are an outpouring of knowing deeply what suffering feels like.

We can endure because he endured.

He knows us.