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He is man. His work of salvation required that He become one of
those whom He came to save. Quoting again from Hebrews:
Hebrews 2:16-17 – He does give aid
to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be
made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful
High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for
the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered,
being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
This is to me, perhaps, the most comforting fact about Jesus: He
understands me because He became like me. He is not some remote
god who is alien to my condition such as the pagans worship. He
is intimate with me, He took my condition upon Himself so that He
could save me.
Throughout the gospels Jesus is portrayed as a man who endured all
that you or I would in our own lives.
1) Jesus had a human mother
Matthew 1:18-25 – Now the birth
of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed
to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of
the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her
away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for
that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she
will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He
will save His people from their sins." 22 So all this was done
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through
the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child,
and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which
is translated, "God with us." 24 Then Joseph, being aroused
from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took
to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth
her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
2) Jesus experienced human life as
we do
i) Jesus was tempted
Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have
a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was
in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
ii) Jesus was hungry and thirsty
Matthew 4:1-2 – Then Jesus was led
up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward
He was hungry.
John 19:28 – After this, Jesus,
knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture
might be fulfilled*, said, "I thirst!"
*See section discussing Prophecy
iii) Jesus had a family
Matthew 13:54 – And when He had
come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that
they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this
wisdom and these mighty works? 55 "Is this not the carpenter’s
son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses,
Simon, and Judas? 56 "And His sisters, are they not all with
us? Where then did this Man get all these things?"
iv) Jesus had a job
Mark 6:2-3 – And when the Sabbath
had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him
were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?
And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty
works are performed by His hands! 3 "Is this not the carpenter?"
v) Jesus rejoiced
Luke 10:17-21 – Then the seventy
returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject
to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan
fall like lightning from heaven. 19 "Behold, I give you the
authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the
power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20
"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are
subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written
in heaven." 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and
said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth."
vi) Jesus grieved
John 11:33-35 – Therefore, when
Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He
groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, "Where
have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and
see." 35 Jesus wept.
vii) Jesus felt exhaustion
Luke 8:22-24 – Now it happened,
on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And
He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the
lake." And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell
asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling
with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke
Him.
3) Jesus suffered death
Luke 23:46 – And when Jesus had
cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, ‘into
Your hands I commit My spirit.’" Having said this, He
breathed His last.
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