When we are sad from being alone or when we long for home and family while absent from them, we thus experience first hand the burden of loneliness. The painful experience of loneliness may be the result of our continuing need to have social interaction with other human beings.  It may also be the consequence of our strong desire to be reunited with another whom we love so dearly, which may not be possible in the near future or in this life.  Though loneliness may be experienced as we have no one else with us, we may also be lonely in the midst of a large crowd because the emotional needs which have been addressed in specifically nurtured relationships may not be fulfilled in any other context.

In one sense, Jesus was alone in this world: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:10).  Most certainly, Jesus was absent from His heavenly home and family (John 1:1-2, 14).  Question:  What does the biblical record affirm that Jesus did during the time when He was away from His heavenly home? What things did He do which would in some measure minimize or neutralize the burden of loneliness which He no doubt experienced during His earthly ministry?  Though we may not be able to fully address this question, we may observe several traits of Jesus which, if applied in our individual lives today as needed in connection with our personal hardships, may provide some means by which we may alleviate or lessen the burden of loneliness which we alone face in our everyday struggle to find peace and rest in the midst of pain and despair.  This article will hopefully present at least a partial answer to the above question and will provide some means by which the burdens of life may be eased.

We may observe that Jesus freely left home when responsibilities took Him away (Matt. 4:12-13, 17).  He was not compelled under personal duress to place Himself in a context which may produce loneliness as He was absent from the Father. Notably, Jesus demonstrated the course to follow while facing the prospect of loneliness.

1. He busied Himself with His work rather than idling time away (Matt. 4:23; John 4:34-35).
2. He drew close to new friends instead of allowing the absence of former associates to overcome Him (Matt. 4:18-22).
3. He became emotionally bonded to those about Him rather than maintaining distant friendships (Matt. 9:36; John 11:33-36).
4. He communed with righteous men while enduring a more distant fellowship with the Father (Matt. 17:1-3).
5. He valued private time alone, providing for timely personal reflection, instead of being cut off from both past and future (Matt. 14:22-23).
6. He maintained communication with His heavenly Father rather than totally breaking off old ties that bound Him closely to the Father (Matt. 11:25-26).
7. He spoke openly of His relationship with His Father, thus sharing the joys of the relationship, instead of being excessively private (John 5:17-24).
8. He looked joyfully to the future rather than dwelling excessively upon His separation from the Father (Matt. 19:27-29).
9. He never lost sight of His point of origin instead of failing to draw upon His spiritual heritage (John 6:33-35,38; 8:42).
10. He was ever aware that He would be reunited with His Father (Matt. 10:32; John 7:33), being separated from His Father but not alone (John 8:15-16; 8:28-29; 10:30).  May we possess the courage and the ability to follow the course of Jesus and thereby alleviate the anguish of spirit that engulfs us as we endure loneliness in this life.