The Human Hero – The God of Grace

Hebrews 4:15 states that Jesus was tempted in every way just as humans are - experiencing  hunger, pain, and emotional distress - yet remained without sin. As a sympathetic high priest,  he understands human weaknesses. This means he faced real, external temptations,  such as in the desert, without yielding. AI 

Jesus, the God man was dragged down by the weight of sin as we are, “yet without sin”!  He was also fully knowing and in sync with His heavenly Father’s plan.  

If anyone wants to argue the humanity of God, check out the following:  

• Judas leaves the upper room - motivated by greed. Have you ever lost a friend? It knocks  the stuffing out of you right? Jesus loved His disciples and knew their short comings, like  greed in Judas’ case. Would fore knowledge soften the blow of betrayal? I don’t think so.  

• Gethsemane’s prayers and tears. Jesus’ time in the garden speaks to so many of us as it shows His humanity was tested by this trial. He was overwhelmed and 3 times asked His Father to remove “the cup” from Him - admitting His spirit was willing but His flesh was weak. Then, with a grieving soul, He woke His disciples for the 3rd time and went to receive His betrayer’s kiss.  

• Judas’ betrayal - the identifying kiss. We like to think a kiss is a sign of affection. However,  in this case it was a sign Judas had made his bed and was happy to lie in it. Jesus, knowing  all things, knew this would happen, but still, a human heart hurts when it’s rejected.  

• Peter’s denial - faith and foolishness. Peter, on the other hand was afraid and fearful due  to his association with Jesus. So he did the first thing we humans tend to do in these  situations - he lied - 3 times! Then he recalled the words Jesus had spoken to him during  the last supper, and wept. After the resurrection, Jesus dealt with Peter’s broken spirit by  asking him if he loved Him - 3 times. A weeping, disillusioned Peter was forgiven and  reconciled.  

• The road to Calvary. The Via Dolorosa Road was about 1/2 a mile to Golgotha. History  suggests those to be crucified carried their own cross beam, strapped to their shoulders.  Jesus was severely whipped by Romans soldiers under the order of Pontius Pilate before  carrying His, while being jeered at. So, a stranger to Jerusalem, Simon of Syrene, was compelled by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry His cross. I wonder what he thought about that, did Jesus acknowledge him? I’m sure He would have thought scripture doesn’t mention it.  Was Simon changed by this encounter? Who wouldn’t be? 

• The cry from the cross. The height of a Roman crucifixion cross is purported to be  between 3 to 4 metres - disallowing the one to be crucified to lift some of the weight  with his feet. Agony! Now, add in Jesus’ pure love for mankind - Grief! Grief the like  of which was unknown and continues to be, for no one loves like the Triune God.  

 Crucifixion is widely considered one of the most painful and torturous forms of execution in  history, designed for maximum suffering, humiliation, and a slow death, often taking days. AI  

 Yet during His time on the cross Jesus prayed for us; gave John the responsibility of  caring for His mother; prayed for His persecutors; changed the heart and mind of the  Centurion and welcomed a fellow prisoner into paradise. As a man he was in great  physical pain, but as the Son of God He was spiritually stretched in death.  

• Thomas’ unbelief. Often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas’, scripture shows him to be an  interesting man. In John 11:16 he showed a willingness to die with Jesus. And in John 14:5  he makes it very clear he wants to follow Jesus, he just doesn‘t know the way. But Jesus knew his heart. After missing the first appearance of Jesus, Thomas was adamant he  would not believe in His resurrection until he could see with his own eyes and feel with  his own hands. A week later, after entering a closed room Jesus said to Thomas “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.“ John 20:24 -29. Was Jesus broken by Thomas’ lack of faith - I don’t believe so. If Gethsemane and Calvary didn’t break Him nothing can! 

 So, is Jesus a human hero or the God of grace? In my opinion He couldn’t be one without the other.

I’m interested in what you think.  

Please let me know at jo@northcross.org.nz

by Jo Warner