Looking at Jesus’ life from two broad categories, Scripture records that he lived a life marked by both miraculous feats and normal human interactions. On one hand, the Messiah produced power-filled signs of God’s kingdom come. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demonic spirits, turned water into wine, fed 20,000 or so people with five loaves and two fish, and exercised dominion over his creation. On the other hand, like all of us he ate, drank, slept, worked, studied and learned, followed laws and customs, shopped at the local market, had an earthly family and maintained many friendships. Although fully God, part of Christ’s becoming fully human was living like a normal person, yet doing it perfectly. This aspect of Jesus’ earthly life can often be overlooked and under-discussed, but perhaps we should learn as much from his normal life as we do from the miraculous. All of Christ’s life provides us with a more transparent view of God’s character and nature.
John 21:25 tells us, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” Perhaps I’m mistaken, but I don’t think John had in mind such things as Jesus brushing his teeth when he wrote this verse. Considering the context, I take this to indicate the near-innumerable captivating stories, profound teachings and supernatural works of Jesus. Since Scripture says that Jesus is an exact representation of the Father, we more clearly see God’s nature and character through Christ’s miracles. Let’s look at a few of them and what they reveal to us.
God’s heart for grieving fathers, mothers, widows and siblings was demonstrated through raising daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. God’s compassion for the sick and hurting was shown by healing the blind, deaf, dumb, deformed, diseased, lame and lepers. God’s love for the afflicted was revealed through deliverance from oppressive demonic spirits. God’s care for daily needs was displayed by multiplying food for multitudes of hungry people. God’s concern for our safety was clarified by calming the storm for the sake of his disciples. God’s zeal for our faith was showcased through encouraging Peter to likewise walk on the water.
Jesus’ signs and wonders exhibited the profound glories of God, but so too did his common human interactions. These non-miraculous behaviors can both be deduced from the Bible’s revelation of Christ’s sinless character, as well as from specific passages detailing his life. Since Jesus lived in perfect reliance on the Holy Spirit, we know that he perfectly displayed the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Though we don’t know everything about his life, we certainly know how he lived. Although most of us can think of a person that we greatly admire for their godly character, if we’ve known them long enough, we’ve been sinned against by them or witnessed them doing so towards others. We all continue to live with the reality of a sinful flesh nature.
Considering our experiences, how amazing and encouraging to meditate on the truth that Jesus always pleased the Father in thought, word and deed! Let us not overlook that the God who created our unique personalities had a unique personality of his own! He certainly didn’t live life in a stoic, monk-like fashion. Jesus was full of passion and personality, and no doubt had a sense of humor – otherwise he wouldn’t have made people to appreciate and display them! Imagine Jesus’ righteous reactions to the feasible scenarios of siblings that pestered him, an unjustified rebuke from Mary or Joseph, a bullying classmate, hurtful words of ridicule, an impatient customer, someone taking his Father’s name in vain, fickle crowds, and often dense disciples. Picture Jesus proactively comforting one of his little brothers that was teased by playmates, helping his mother care for his ailing adoptive father, diligently completing a carpentry job for a swindling customer, faithfully and regularly studying the Torah, and foregoing material comforts to help provide for the poor and widows in town.
Expressly provided in the Gospels are examples of God’s disposition towards his people, and even his enemies, through Jesus’ non-miraculous interactions with people. Displaying God’s unmerited grace, Jesus selects twelve unlikely and seemingly unqualified men to be his disciples and carry on his message of salvation to the world. Demonstrating God’s view of racial equality, Jesus walks through Samaria (rather than around it as was most Jews’ custom) to purposefully engage the adulteress woman at the well and offer her eternal life. Showing God’s indiscriminate love for all people, Jesus befriended all types of sinners in need of salvation - prostitutes, tax collectors and the like - not just sinners within the religious establishment and wealthy class that could provide social acceptance. Placing value on a heart inclined towards the things of God over mere works of service for him, Jesus corrects Martha for demanding that Mary help her prepare a meal, indicating that Mary had rightly chosen how to spend time with him. Jesus showed the deep compassion of God as he wept over the death of his friend Lazarus.
Contrary to the world’s philosophy for how to deal with people that undermine and even persecute you, Jesus models the frequent Old Testament exaltation that the Lord is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Although Jesus directed many harsh words towards the Scribes, Pharisees and religious rulers, he did not shun them or avoid them. Rather than showing contempt for them, through rebuke, Jesus offered them a chance to repent and believe in him. Jesus wept over the Jews in Jerusalem who would not believe in him even while prophesying their pending God-ordained judgment in A.D. 70. While being beaten, mocked, scorned and crucified, Jesus not only remained silent and restrained, he also asked for these very people’s forgiveness. After being abandoned and even denied by Peter - one of his closest friends – he not only forgave him but also established him as the primary leader of the early church. Lest we forget, this was no mere man that was mistreated, but the very God who created all men.
Praise God for his revealed Word! Meditating on the rich wonders of Christ’s earthly existence draws us into a deeper understanding of the God who loves us and redeemed us. It magnifies the expanse of God’s glory while providing a more tangible understanding of his character that we can emulate. 1 John 2:5-6 says, “But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment