Jesus Felt the Terror of Humanity

Naysayers will scoff when those of us who are followers of Christ say things like, “Jesus understands,” or “Jesus cares.”

I get it, man, I honestly do.

Don’t you think every Christian at one time or another has wondered, “Is this all real? Am I just fooling myself? What if there is no HEAVEN? What if there is no GOD?”

Then God will move in our lives, and we thank Him for it.

We’ll literally feel the presence of the Lord in our hearts. Our spirits are filled with a light no human experience can duplicate, and, in tears, we whisper, “Thank you, Jesus.”

To try and prove to you that He really does understand the “human experience,” I present a few examples of the very human emotions Jesus felt during His time on Earth:

JESUS FELT EXHAUSTION:

“Jesus was tired from the long walk in the hot sun and sat wearily beside the well. (John 4:6b)”

JESUS FELT (righteous) ANGER:

^“As he went into the temple courtyard, he noticed it was filled with merchants selling oxen, lambs, and doves for exorbitant prices, while others were overcharging as they exchanged currency behind their counters. So Jesus found some rope and made it into a whip. Then he drove out every one of them and their animals from the courtyard of the temple, and he kicked over their tables filled with money, scattering it everywhere! And he shouted at the merchants, ‘Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a place for buying and selling!’ (John 2:14-16)”

“(Regarding the Pharisees) And he looked round about on them angrily, mourning the blindness of their hearts… (Mark 3:5a)” This verse actually shows anger AND sorrow for the hardness of the Pharisees’ hearts.

JESUS FELT DISTRESS (i.e. He was troubled):

“(Regarding His eventual betrayal, when talking with His disciples) Jesus was becoming visibly distressed. (John 13:21a).”

“(Regarding His death on the cross, Jesus said) Now I am very troubled. What should I say? Should I say, ‘Father save me from this time of suffering’? No, I came to this time so that I could suffer. (John 12:27)”

JESUS FELT SORROW and GRIEF:

“Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, ‘Stay here while I go over there and pray.’ Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, ‘This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.’ (Matthew 26:36-38)”

“(Regarding the death and soon-coming resurrection of Lazarus) When Jesus saw Mary’s profound grief and the moaning and weeping of her companions, He was deeply moved by their pain in His spirit and was intensely troubled. (John 11:33)”

JESUS FELT ABANDONED, FORSAKEN, ALONE:

“At about three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why did you abandon me?’ (Matthew 27:46”

JESUS FELT INTENSE, SEETHING PAIN, TORTURE and DEATH on the cross.

But He soldiered on, despite the terror of humanity, and not only brought comfort, peace and salvation to those around Him, but continues to do so:

JESUS GIVES COMFORT:

“Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly. (John 14:1-3)”

“Blessed are those who mourn—they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)”

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)”

“Are you having a real struggle? Come to me! Are you carrying a big load on your back? Come to me – I’ll give you a rest! (Matthew 11:28)”

“Jesus answered them, ‘I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.’ (from John 16)”

Jesus was on His way to heal the daughter of a Jewish official, who was sick to the point of death. While He was making his way there, however, some men came from the official’s home and told him, “Your daughter has died, so why bother the Teacher (Jesus) any longer?” “But Jesus did not care what the men said. He said to the synagogue leader, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’ (Mark 5:36)”

“Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. (I Peter 5:7).”

To those who believe, I pray this gives you comfort.

To those who do not, I pray the Holy Spirit will bring these words to your spirit in your darkest hour.

Either way, I’m prayin’ for ya, as always!

Blessings, my friend.