Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH
“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity…”
Hebrews 2:14
You’re not alone in feeling alone.
Loneliness is a worldwide epidemic, reaching every corner of the globe and showing no distinction between age, gender, race, or socioeconomic level. In recent years, both Great Britain and Japan have even appointed official “Ministers of Loneliness” to confront the enormous problem in their countries.
I applaud their efforts.
But when loneliness knocks on your door, comes in for a visit, and lingers way longer than you’d like, having a national “Minister of Loneliness” probably isn’t much help, is it?
I speak from experience. I’ve tasted loneliness more in the past decade than in any other season in my life.
I often perceive a gap between the quality of relationships I long for and the quality of relationships I actually have. (I have a feeling you can relate).
Yes, loneliness lives in this gap, but so does the compassion of Jesus.
Here’s a thought that continues to bring me great comfort:
Jesus did not exempt Himself from the desolating pain of loneliness.
Since He “shared in our humanity,” He can relate to us in our everyday struggles, including loneliness. Jesus is the perfect Minister of Loneliness, if you will, who faced loneliness head-on and emerged victorious.
Let me explain.
You see, Jesus dwelled in perfect harmony with the Father and Spirit from eternity past. To become human, He relinquished this intimacy and subjected Himself to broken, imperfect relationships.
He lived among people who were made in His image, yet who did not “recognize, nor receive Him” (John 1:10,11). Isaiah even says Jesus would be “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3).
This rejection was most apparent during the final hours of His life:
• Facing the agony of His looming crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples could not even stay awake to pray with Him in Gethsemane. The men scattered upon His arrest. Think of how this must’ve felt to Jesus. He was then tried, mocked, and flogged by Himself. (Matthew 26:36-56).
• Bearing the full weight of humanity’s sin on the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). He was totally separated from His Father. Two thieves were crucified with Him, but He did not know these men. (Luke 23:39-43). With the exception of a few mourners and Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross, Jesus died alone.
These moments paint a picture of a Savior who understands our loneliness.
Here is the REALLY good news for all the lonely people:
Jesus died alone so that we would never truly be alone, for “He is always with us, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He was forsaken by God so that we never would be, for He has promised to “never leave or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5).
And that, my friend, is a promise I can guarantee.
Will we still experience seasons of loneliness?
Yes, it’s a heart-rending reality for the world in which we live.
But because of the glorious resurrection of Jesus, we can experience an intimacy with God that warms our hearts even amidst the icy chills of life’s loneliest moments!
WANNA LEARN MORE?
Check out “What Does The Bible Say About Loneliness?” on GotQuestions.org
