He Understands

David, in the Lenten sermon today, said that he would interpret "Jesus wept" as "Jesus understands."  What we are going through -- whatever challenge we find ourselves in -- Jesus understands.

Jesus understands.  What does it mean to understand? Is it an intellectual comprehension of what is happening to us?  Does he understand our situations, like I might try to understand what my teenage son is experiencing?

More.  Jesus "gets" it.  He has been in our shoes.  He has become human, and he knows what it means to be tempted, to lose a family member, to be disappointed, to be happy in the company of friends.  He understands, because he has entered our lives.  In the midst of it, he cried.  He has stood in our place, in life and in death.