Jesus Was Fully Human
Jesus Was Fully Human
Becoming a Christian isn’t a blind leap of faith. It’s a step of faith based on firm historical evidence. One of the facts about Jesus is: He was fully human. As a boy, Jesus learned about the law in the temple (Luke 2:52). He worked (Mark 6:3). He obeyed His parents (Luke 2:51). Sometimes Jesus got tired (John 4:6). Like the time he left Judea to return to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria to get there and came to a town called Sychar where Jacob's well is located. And Jesus, exhausted from the journey, sat down by the well. Jesus got hungry too (Matthew 4:2; 9:10-11). There are many instances where we read about Jesus eating with His disciples. Jesus had human emotions. He got angry at several people selling merchandise in the temple and turned over their tables (Mark 11:15-17). He felt compassion for a rich, young ruler (Mark 10:21). He even experienced tears of sadness when Lazarus died (John 11:35). And for forty days in a desert, Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are tempted—yet Jesus was without sin (Mark 1:13; Hebrews 4:15).
One of the questions many people contemplate is: Was Jesus only human? Few people today would doubt that Jesus was fully human. What many say today is that Jesus was only a human being—albeit one of the greatest men who ever lived. So what evidence is there to suggest that Jesus was more than just an amazing man or a great moral teacher? The answer, as we’re about to see, is that there’s a great deal of it. There is ample evidence that supports that Jesus was more than human—that He was and is God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.
What Jesus Says About Himself
Let’s look at what Jesus says about Himself. Have you ever noticed that a lot of Jesus’ teaching centers on Himself? Jesus teaches that if you want to have a relationship with God, you must go through Him. He says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus claims that it’s only through a relationship with Him that we can encounter the fullness of God. Jesus teaches that He alone can fill the deep, spiritual hunger within every human heart.
There are a lot of people who have tried to address this issue including several twentieth century psychologists. Freud said: “People hunger for love.” Jung said: “People are hungry for security.” Adler said: “People are hungry for significance.” But Jesus said: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). In other words: “If you want to satisfy the spiritual hunger within you, then come into a relationship with me.” Jesus teaches that He alone can light our path, lead us in a positive direction, and give us hope.
Some of us are walking in darkness, depression, gloom, or despair. Jesus teaches that God loves us and has a plan for our life. He says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Some of us are afraid of death. Jesus teaches that God loves us and has a plan for us for all eternity. He says: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
Some of us are burdened by worries, anxieties, fears, and guilt. Jesus teaches that we don’t have to walk through this life alone. He says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Some of us are looking for meaning and purpose. We want to believe in the truth. We want to make a difference in the world. We want to live for something greater than ourselves. Jesus says: “Come. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). If you look at what Jesus teaches about Himself it becomes clear that Jesus claims to be God!
True Christianity is more than a religion, it’s a relationship with a real person who claims to be the One true and living God. Being a Christian entails learning, understanding, and believing who Jesus really is, that He was more than a man, more than just a historical figure or an "enlightened teacher."
Who do you say Jesus is?
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