In order for the Lord Jesus to accomplish redemption for us, He had to be incarnated. It was as a man in the flesh that He was able to accomplish our judicial redemption. But, why didn’t He just become incarnated as a grown-man, maybe giving Himself a few years to perform some miracles and call and perfect the disciples and then die on the cross?
Why instead did He choose to limit Himself for nine months in Mary’s womb and then limit Himself to living as a baby, a toddler, a child, a young person, a young adult and finally a man for so many years?
Not only was He limited, not only was He living a perfect, sinless, and God-expressing human life, but He lived a human life that was full of suffering, misery, poverty. It was a life defined by its lack, a life in which there was no human satisfaction.
Isaiah 53 tells us in fact that He was a root out of dry ground. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He was a man from whom men hid their faces. He was despised and forsaken. Not only that, but physically, His visage was marred, and we can infer from the Pharisees’ reactions to His words in the gospel of John that despite being only 30 years old He appeared to be closer to fifty (John 8:57).
I asked myself, “Why did He have to go through such a life and living? If He could have accomplished our judicial salvation without this, what was the purpose of His experiencing such a sad life?”
Well, this week, I was reading the second chapter in the book of Hebrews, when I came to these phrases in verse 17 and 18: “…He should have been made like His brothers in all things that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God…For being tempted in that which He Himself has suffered, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Immediately, I was reminded of this song:
He understands you thoroughly;/ There’s nothing He does not know./ All your problems and weaknesses/ Don’t say it isn’t so!/ He’s your Helper, sympathizing./ He’s the Spirit. Don’t neglect Him./ He’s praying for you/ And sustaining you.// He gives support and comforts you,/ Interceding night and day./ And when you’re weak He groans for you/ With words you cannot say./ He’s the Spirit, interceding./ He’s the Spirit. Don’t neglect this/ Wonderful One,/ Who is praying for you.// So many times we are so weak,/ But Someone deep within/ Supplies the very help we need,/ And we’re upheld by Him./ He says, “Don’t be disappointed.”/ He knows all your fears and failures;/ He’s praying for you/ As no one else can do.
And, there was a gushing well of appreciation that just filled my heart for this Wonderful, Marvelous, Glorious, Precious Person! I realized that He really understands us! When our circumstances are dire, or when we fail, and even when we have our most “human” moments, He knows.
Let me explain, this comment about “human” moments. Too often, recently, I have found that in myself I am an ascetic.
I know doctrinally that Christ should hold the first place in my heart, I know doctrinally that when I have Him, I have all I need, so when I find myself desiring other things, or wanting, or even more needing other things, I automatically go into “self-denial” mode, not even bothering to consult with the Lord regarding the reasons for my wanting or feeling like I need these other things.
To a certain extent, I feel that I am failing the Lord for these desires, so I hide them from Him and to a great extent from myself. Praise Him for His faithfulness toward us! First He has made me acknowledge that I do have these human needs, and now He has shown me that He understands these feelings!
I don’t know, but I was so cherished with the preciousness of His humanity. What a marvelous thing that we have a High Priest who is touched my our human weaknesses. We can therefore come forward with boldness to Him, and know assuredly that He can and He will supply our every need. [sharing by sister Maria C. from her topmost enjoyment of the week]
Lord Jesus Christ, what else can we say, but, Thank You for Your beautiful, fragrant humanity! Thank You for coming as such a man of sorrows. Thank You for living such a human life. Lord, we love You. Lord we praise You for Your tender, shepherding, loving care for us. Oh, Lord! You are the most beautiful One! Thank You, Lord, for coming as the Servant of Jehovah to care for us in such a detailed way. Lord, we need You to serve us with and in Your humanity. Serve us with Your life until we become Your complete and total reproduction, until we become Your complement and counterpart, Your glorious Bride!
