“Jesus wept.”

 ^“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4 ESV)

Christ's humanity is especially significant. You see, not only was Christ 100% human, but He was also 100% God. He veiled himself in clothing of flesh, which He pulled back on Mount Tabor, where he revealed His deity to Peter, John, and James during the transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-3, Mark 9:2-3, Luke 9:28-29)

As fully human, Jesus experienced our lives during His time in creation. He felt pain; He grieved, and He loved. Yet despite feeling all these things, knowing what He was about to do to save humanity from its sin, He was obedient to the Father.  This should stun us to no end.

In its context, the shortest verse in the Bible reveals Christ’s humanity more than a thousand words ever could. “Jesus wept.” (John 11:36). Knowing that Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, would die, Jesus waited before going to Bethany. Jesus let Lazarus die to show God's glory to the many who would gather.

When He came to Bethany and spoke with Mary, He saw how distraught she was, and knowing He would raise Lazarus from the dead, He saw her emotions, her tears, and the devastation of losing her brother, even though Jesus could have healed Him. It overwhelmed Christ, and He wept.

Jesus experienced our lives minus our sinful nature. He experienced anger in the temple, overturning the tables of the sellers and money changers. The anger overwhelmed Him, as His Father's house had become a market, furthering the greed of the Pharisees, who took their cut of the money. Priests and scribes cared more for money than for serving God. This powerful example of anger toward Jerusalem is included in the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John. (Matthew 21:12‑13, Mark 11:15‑17, Luke 19:45‑46, John 2:13‑16)

Jesus also experienced pity and true sacrifice for God in the widow's mite. Watching those entering the temple, Jesus saw a widow put her last few coins in the tithing barrel. Jesus knew her heart and knew this was all she had to live on, and yet she truly loved and was devoted to God, giving her coins to the temple despite her poverty. A far cry from the Pharisees, who devoured the widows' homes instead of taking care of the widows as the Scriptures commanded.

Why is Christ's humanity so important? Because Christ knows everything we go through in our lives. He knows this just as He knows our hearts. He has experienced grief, pain, loss, and persecution and knows how they felt in human terms, which is why our mercies are new every day.

We do not receive mercy in our salvation, and that is it. God's mercy has no limit, just as His love and forgiveness have no limit for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. He truly walked in our shoes, far more than a mile. These are the assurances we have in Christ as our Savior. Our greatest

assurance is in our resurrection. Just as He, whose human body was broken and died, was raised, so we too shall be raised in an eternal body, and we too shall ascend to the Father.

Do you know Christ's mercy and grace? Do you understand what He sacrificed for you? One would scarcely sacrifice themselves for a righteous person, much less a sinner, but Christ did. While you were still a sinner, He died that you might receive His righteousness as a gift.

If you do not know Christ, seek Him now; there is no time. Have questions? Reach out to us here at In Messiah Ministries, and we can show you the Scriptures that explain salvation through Christ alone.

Grace and peace!