The Humanity of Jesus
Good morning Immanuel. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things…(Heb. 2:14a)”
The historical Jesus was a real human, just like you and me. Many places in the Bible testify to this:
Philippians 2:6-7 - “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
John 1:14 - “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Isaiah 53:3 - “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
Hebrews 5:7 - “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”
While some may struggle to accept Jesus' divinity, others may grapple with comprehending his humanity. However, the Bible doesn’t give us a choice between the two. Instead, it presents Jesus as both truly God and truly man.
This is good news for us because Jesus lived in our place, was tempted in our place, obeyed in our place, and died in our place. Jesus willingly identified with us through the incarnation and brought redemption as far as the curse was found- from the cradle to the cross!
The humanity of Jesus also means that he knows what it’s like to be storm-tossed by trials and temptations. He knows what it feels like to be burdened and tired. He knows the feeling of pain. In our daily struggles, we can see that he cares and understands us. Through the real humanity of Jesus, we have life, hope, and help.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)
So helpful 🙏🏼