Thur 19th Jan 2023 - Daily Reading:
John 18:1-8
Jesus the man
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.18.1-8.NIV
They were looking for Jesus of Nazareth - a man. Someone who was known to have grown up in the region of Galilee, supposedly the son of a carpenter, yet began teaching and preaching heresy, so the authorities stated, a riling up the nation of Israel.
Jesus acknowledges that He was the man they were looking for. In this statement He acknowledges His humanity. Throughout the Gospel accounts we see Jesus as a man - hungry, thirsty, tired, weary, sad, upset, happy, angry, frustrated, caring for others and seeking companionship. The full range of emotions and needs we can all relate to. And this is important for our understanding of Jesus.
As a man, we can know Him and relate to Him; we can call Him friend and spend time with Him. As man, God with us, Emmanuel, is no longer distant and unapproachable. We do not need the cleansing rituals in order for a single nominated person to be able to enter the Holy of Holies in the temple to be in the presence of the Almighty.
His death on the cross, His substitution for our sins, our punishment He bore voluntarily because of His vast love for all peoples, was completed by Jesus the man. “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” Jesus cried as His last breath and then died. (Mark 15:34). He was alone as man for He no longer had access to the Father for He had become for us as sin.
And this He did of His own choice and volition. He could have stopped it at any time but chose to allow it to continue for you and for me, so we could know the Father for ourselves. He is the way, the truth and the LIFE and only through Him can we know the Father. Ironically, it is through His death that we find life.
Our response is simple - thanks.
Optional devotional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KYvfIc2bE (4 min 18 sec)