Jesus Understands

When our Sunday School teacher asked the children to quote their favorite Bible verse someone would immediately call out, “Jesus Wept,” and all the others would laugh and giggle.  Then the teacher would patiently ask the next child for his favorite verse.  He would say, “He got my verse.” More laughter. Then someone might struggle through John 3:16. How silly, frivolous and childish we were. Today I look back with embarrassment at myself and the rest of us.

Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, His friend, and brother to two outstanding women in the Bible, Mary and Martha.  Lazarus had been dead four days and when Jesus saw them weeping He wept. That verse, John 11:35, lets us know that Jesus was truly a human with the ability to cry. He understands when we shed our tears. 

He had additional human traits. Following forty days and nights of fasting He was hungry. (Mt. 4:2)  He got sleepy and slept in the rear of a boat as it was tossed in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. (Mark 4:35-42)  He got tired and sat down on the top of a well. (John 4:6)  He suffered pain. He bled. He died. True, He was all God. Equally true, He was all man.

The Bible says, “we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like we are, and yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  (Hebrews 4:15,16)  You can talk to Him. He understands your every pain, sorrow, heartache, temptation and tear.  He is our High priest in heaven making intercession for us before the Father.  What a Savior!