“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.” – Hebrews 4:15
The Humanity of Jesus
As we reflect on the humanity of Jesus, we recognize that He walked this earth just like us. He experienced pain, joy, hunger, and thirst. Jesus was fully human, yet He was without sin. Understanding His humanity allows us to connect with Him more deeply. When we face challenges and temptations, we can remember that our Savior knows exactly what we are going through. He provides us with the comfort we need because He experienced life in the same way we do. It shows us that God’s love is real and tangible, expressed in the life of Jesus. We can find solace in the fact that Jesus understands our struggles, guiding us toward a better path with His love and grace.
Luke 2:52
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” – Luke 2:52
John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Matthew 26:38
“Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'” – Matthew 26:38
Hebrews 2:14
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.” – Hebrews 2:14
Mark 15:34
“And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).” – Mark 15:34
Experiencing Emotions
We often think of Jesus as the divine figure who performs miracles, but He also showed real human emotions. Jesus expressed love, compassion, anger, and sorrow. His humanity allows us to know that expressing our emotions is not a sign of weakness. It’s a part of being human, just as it was for Christ. Understanding the emotions of Jesus gives us permission to feel and process our feelings authentically. When we feel sadness or joy, we can be assured that Jesus understands us completely. He invites us to bring our emotions to Him in prayer, reminding us that He walks with us through our feelings.
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35
Luke 19:41
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” – Luke 19:41
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36
Matthew 21:12
“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there.” – Matthew 21:12
Mark 10:14
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” – Mark 10:14
The Relatability of Jesus
Understanding that Jesus is fully human allows us to relate with Him on many levels. He faced temptations and hardships just like we do. This depth of connection we have with Jesus provides us comfort in trials. We can talk to Him as our friend and confidant because He understands our experiences. Knowing that Jesus faced temptation shows us that we are not alone in our struggles. We can turn to Him for strength and wisdom in overcoming our own temptations and battles. His life serves as an example for us, and we can reflect on our steps knowing He is with us.
Hebrews 2:18
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” – Hebrews 2:18
Matthew 4:2
“After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” – Matthew 4:2
John 7:5
“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” – John 7:5
Mark 3:21
“When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.'” – Mark 3:21
Luke 4:13
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” – Luke 4:13
The Physical Reality of His Life
Jesus lived a physical life, fully experiencing what it means to be human. He ate, drank, laughed, and interacted with people. It’s easy to forget that Jesus was not just a spirit but had a real body. His physical existence affirms our own humanity. Jesus knows our struggles with physical needs and desires. When we remember His physical being, it brings us closer to Him during times of need and want. We can approach Him for our physical needs because He understands the very essence of our human experience.
John 19:28
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.'” – John 19:28
Matthew 4:3
“The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.'” – Matthew 4:3
Mark 6:31
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'” – Mark 6:31
Luke 24:39
“Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” – Luke 24:39
John 6:51
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” – John 6:51
The Purpose of His Humanity
Jesus became fully human to save us; He came to fulfill God’s plan for our redemption. By understanding His humanity, we can appreciate the depth of His sacrifice. His life was a testament to God’s love for us. Jesus lived a perfect life, providing an example for us all, and then willingly took our sins upon Himself. When we realize the purpose of His humanity, it motivates us to live a life that honors Him. We recognize that He chose to share in our struggles to be with us, so we are invited to share in His grace and love. His humanity is a reminder of our own call to serve and love others.
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Philippians 2:7
“Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” – Philippians 2:7
Hebrews 9:26
“He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” – Hebrews 9:26
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Living in His Example
As we learn about Jesus being fully human, we can take inspiration from His life. He modelled compassion, humility, and service in every situation. Our goal should be to reflect His character in our own lives. By following His example, we can navigate our relationships and experiences with grace and love. Jesus showed us what it means to love our neighbors and care for those around us wholeheartedly. Emulating His behavior reminds us that being fully human is about treating others with respect and kindness, just as He did. His life provides us with a blueprint on how to flourish as human beings.
Matthew 20:28
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28
John 13:15
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” – John 13:15
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
Final Thoughts
Throughout our exploration of Jesus being fully human, we see how His life resonates with our experiences. His ability to feel emotions, face temptation, and acknowledge physical needs demonstrates that He genuinely understands us. By recognizing His humanity, we can relate to Him more intimately and seek comfort in our trials. Jesus invites us into a relationship, bridging the gap between divinity and humanity through His sacrifice and unwavering love.
As we strive to walk in His footsteps, it’s vital to remember to express love, empathy, and compassion toward others as Jesus did. Let us take heart knowing that we can always rely on Him for strength and guidance in our lives. In times of struggle, reflecting on His humanity reminds us that we are never alone.
I encourage you to explore more topics that will deepen your understanding of faith and the fullness of Christ’s love. You can check out the fullness in Christ or fullness of life to continue your spiritual growth.