In 2003 when I was listening to Dr. Siang Yang Tan with Fuller Theological Seminary summarize this psychotherapy research I realized that Jesus knew the results of these studies long before they were conducted! Two thousand years prior to this research he was applying the wisdom that science only recently “discovered.” He is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).
But can we really say that Jesus is a psychologist? He doesn’t use the jargon of current psychology. He isn’t operating in one of the popular schools of psychology. His ministry doesn’t normally look like sitting down with people and having long conversations. He doesn’t even have a license to practice psychology! Most Christians have not thought of Jesus as having the knowledge and capacities of a great psychologist. But with person after person, including many who were very difficult to deal with, we see that Jesus is “moved with compassion” (e.g., Matt. 9:36). Furthermore, “In him are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).I think it’s important when we listen to Jesus and watch him help people that we think of him not only as our Lord, Savior, and Teacher, but also as our Master Psychologist. Otherwise, when we have a personal or relational struggle we’re likely to consult someone else as our expert! Or if you happen to have expertise as a counselor or minister then you may look merely to yourself as the source for helping others with their problems.
Jesus understands our needs, problems, and relationships better than anyone. He knows how to help us function at the highest level. Of course, it’s wise to seek help from competent and trustworthy counselors, but to do this in submission to the leadership of Christ. The Lord Jesus is our model in each of the four factors that contribute to effective helping.
https://www.soulshepherding.org/jesus-psychotherapy-research-life-change/
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