Week 2 – Fully human

Sacred Insight: What’s the intention? 
As you read, considering the context, determine the intention behind the author’s words. Name all that apply:  1. To show us His truth, 2.To expose our human rebellion 3. To correct our mistakes, or 4. To train us to live like Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Have you ever known someone who seems to always have it all together? Someone who never has so much as a hair out of place?Someone who you only run into when you just happen to be at your worst? When you’ve stopped squeezing avocados in the produce aisle to chase down your tantruming and are right in mid-snap when who should saunter up looking all fresh and perky, but Patty Perfect. Her nails are polished to a shine and she always seems to have a perpetual smile plastered across her Perfect Patty face (and a tiny part of you kinda wants to slap it right off).
 
Sure, she’s flawless. But is Patty Perfect the one you go to when you need advice? How about when you need to ugly cry? I’m guessing she’s the last person you’d bare your soul to. 
We all probably know at least one Patty Perfect and she’s as unrelateable as she is intimidating. 
 
Jesus was not Patty Perfect. Despite the fact that he was literally perfect – sinless and fully righteous, he was not sent to earth to be some handsome, untouchable Ken doll – an untouchable guru on a mountain, there to make the rest of us feel like losers.
 
The truth is, Jesus had very real, very honest emotions and he wasn’t afraid to show them. He was disappointed, frustrated, angry and went through a ton of turmoil. Through it all, He never pretended life was perfect. In fact, when Jesus visited his dear friends Mary and Martha after their beloved brother and Jesus’ close friend Lazarus died, John 11:35 says that Jesus wept. Yes, he cried his eyes out even though he knew he could and would bring Lazarus back from the dead. Still, Jesus in his humanity, grieved this person he loved dearly. He experienced the pain of the moment and felt the compassion that moved him to shed real tears for his real friends.

Think about the gift of our Savior’s humanity for a minute. IIsn’t it incredibly compassionate that God’s plan to rescue us, deliberately included sending a Savior that we could relate to? He didn’t send a pompous king wielding a massive scepter to judge and condemn us, but a human who felt all the feels and experienced all the pain and trials that we experience (and some we will never have to). What a merciful and kind Father we have!
 
Think of how our Matthew 26:39 scripture paints a vivid picture of Jesus, overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death with his face in the dirt, pleading to God. Although it is a painful image, it brings me solace when I’m in the midst of my own grief to know that Jesus also experienced the same emotions and heartbreak I experience. When I feel left out and rejected, I can remember that Jesus was betrayed by his friends. When I feel tempted, I can remember how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert (Luke 4:1-13), etc.

Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

One of the biggest gifts in our passage is the revelation that God sent to us a Savior in the form of a very vulnerable, very real human being – one that was perfect in every way, yet one that never pretended life was easy and life was perfect. This allows us to cling to him on a more profound level of trust because we know that he understands what it’s like to be flesh and blood. What a gift!

What difficulties are you experiencing? Think of a time in the scriptures when Jesus experienced the emotions you have dealt with.

How different would it be if Jesus had never experienced the human trials, suffering and death that we have to face?  Do you think you could relate to a Savior who was immune to all the difficulties we face?

Why do you think it’s hard to trust or open up to people who seem “perfect”?

Do you ever feel pressure to hide your real emotions at church or around other Christians? Why or why not?

What makes someone feel “safe” to talk to when you’re hurting or overwhelmed?

How does the image of Jesus praying with His face in the ground affect how you bring your own pain to God?
 

Live It Out:

  • What’s one way we can be more real with God or others this week instead of pretending everything is fine?
  • With a Trusted Person: Share one real struggle, fear, or emotion with someone you trust instead of saying, “I’m fine.” Do this as a way not only to be vulnerable, but to give others the permission and freedom to do the same with you.