Emotional Jesus
Posted in The Historical Faith and tagged with Bible, Death, Emotions, Jesus Christ on April 14, 2009If you grew up going to church, or even just around those who did, there are a couple verses that you know. The first is John 3:16, and the second is John 11:35.
What? You don’t know John 11:35? Well, you might not know it by its reference, but it’s the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.”
It may be short (and it’s definitely that), but I find it extremely comforting. In context, John is describing Jesus’s reaction to seeing one dear friend distraught and another dead and buried. Sure, the passage is about Jesus’s power over death (and really that’s extremely comforting too!), but there’s something more there that’s important.
Jesus had and showed emotions. For an emotional girl like me (boy stuff alone leaves me emotional, and that’s on top of the usual emotional triggers of finances, stress, friendships, and families) that’s very reassuring. Jesus understands. He might not know experientially what it’s like to have the boy you like not give you the time of day, but He knows what it’s like to suffer and love and support friends who are suffering, things that are way beyond my own personal experience.
April 14th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I agree, that verse is comforting… and it let’s us know He laughed as well…I think we forget that sometimes, too.
April 14th, 2009 at 7:28 am
The image of Jesus weeping breaks my heart… I can imagine what our weeping looks like to him… has to break his heart too because he loves us so much!
April 14th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
It is comforting, sadly, that Jesus wept. We all want to know that He really does understand how we feel. We all want to truly know that, while He was perfect in every way and in every way God, that he was also in every way (except for sin) man and that he felt and experienced the same emotions that we do. The fact that he wept (and laughed) makes Jesus more of a reality…a real person with real feelings and emotions, not some stoic, untouchable being.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
There’s a John 11:35? Check that out, there sure is! ;o)
I think when we get down the nitty gritty of it, Jesus absolutely understands! No matter the circumstances or details, heartbreak IS heartbreak, frustration IS frustration, happiness IS happiness, etc.
April 14th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Comforting and very powerful! Love both of those!
April 14th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
That is very comforting I must say.. you know I love to read your blog because of posts like this; I have not been to church in a while but everytime you write about HIM I get the urge to pick up my bible.
Take Care
pat
Twitter: TurtleMom23
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April 14th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
It’s comforting to know that even though Jesus suffered (in every sense of the word), He did so in order that we have a model to follow.
April 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
The entire Bible seems to be a lot more comfortable with various expressions of emotion than we are. That includes not only emotions in relationships, but also uninhibited expressions of emotion in worship.
May 13th, 2009 at 12:24 am
I wish they had recorded some of Jesus’ jokes…if He told any. I know he used sarcasm…or what to us today would be that, only His was totally justified and holy.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:08 am
[...] to rule me. They ain’t king, so why do I let them be? That doesn’t mean that my emotions should be ignored or suppressed, but they should be placed under self-control and in proper relationship to [...]
November 17th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Not too long ago I realized just how different the women related to Jesus verses the men. While we are all emotional creations, made in God’s image, the women displayed emotions in dramatic ways. They clung to Jesus when he arose, they were moved to serve him, fret over him, wash his feet with their hair and sacrifice their costly investments, which I wonder could represent her security/retirement. The men were different, and while Peter was pretty dramatic in his intense reactions, they related differently.
Emotions are good. They build empathy. Empathy helps with encouraging others, showing kindness and love. Strong emotions can be tied to significant moments in one’s life. Memories you should never forget because they are packed full of education. It is important to have self control, and to be renewed and live by the wisdom of the Word. It is also a wonderful, emptying experience to fall apart at the Lord’s feet. How beautiful is He!!!
PS. It is completely ok to be a girl.