I cannot understand how the Son of God is perfectly man and perfectly God, but I know from experience that Jesus understands human need. In everything, from needing food to eat and water to drink, to having compassion on the poor and sick, Jesus understands. He knows the depth of human need because He was human during his time on earth. Whatever your struggle, Jesus knows what you need to heal.
2MefromHim Devotionals
Jesus Understands Human Need
[H]e made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:7-8
They had traveled a long way on dusty roads, in the heat of the day. Jesus, weary and worn from walking, sat down beside a well outside the drab, dusty little town while his disciples went on a quest for food. He was alone. Then, a woman came to draw water from Jacob’s well—a Samaritan and a prostitute, a woman Jews avoided, despised, humiliated, and ignored. Yet, as he sat alone in the noonday sun, he asked her for water. Jesus needed rest, food, and water, the same as you or me. (John 4)
After a day of teaching, healing, talking, standing, Jesus and his disciples got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. So tired he couldn’t stay awake, Jesus went to the stern of the boat and fell asleep. A huge storm arose, and the disciples, seasoned fisherman, used to the violent storms of the lake, became fearful. Afraid they would drown, they awakened him. (Mark 4)
When Jesus’ dear friend, Lazarus died, he stood outside the tomb and wept. His grief was so obvious and touching that even the skeptical Jews could tell how much he loved the grieving sisters. (John 11) As the time of his death drew near, he looked out over the city of Jerusalem, angrily denouncing the Jewish religious leaders who refused to listen to his message of hope. The last words of this story reveal unspeakable sadness for those who failed to heed his words. “…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:27-28)
In Matthew 26, we see him in the Garden of Gethsemane, alone in prayer, asking his disciples to stand watch and pray. For three years, he had been there for every need, every question, and every person who needed him. Now, when he was suffering, struggling with the physical pain and death that he faced, they left him alone. His words show immense sadness that they could not stay awake even a little while when he needed them. Jesus felt human need.
The One who was with the Father in the beginning, through whom all things were made, was as human as you or me. 
(John 1) He must have fallen and skinned his knees as a child. Perhaps Mary prayed over him as he suffered a fever with some childhood illness. He would have climbed into the lap of Joseph, longing for the strength of his father’s arms, and the comfort of laying his weary little head on his daddy’s shoulder.
Jesus came to the people that he created and called them his own and they rejected him. They ignored his words. He lived and worked beside them, and they reviled him. They spat on him, beat him, tortured him to death, and he asked God the Father to forgive them.
This Jesus, without a home of his own or a pillow on which to rest his weary head at the end of the day, gave his life for the sins of those who hated him. He hung on a cross and experienced the heartbreak of his heavenly Father looking away while the weight of every vile thing that man had ever done in the past or would do in the future was placed on him. Mocked, cursed, spat upon, bleeding, struggling for every breath, he bore my sin on that cross. He understands human need.
I do not claim to comprehend. I only know that he has never failed me, though I have failed him many times. He promised to love me with an everlasting love, though I have ignored him and gone my own way in stubborn rebellion. Yet, when I came to him in pain and need, he answered my call. He offered me solace. He gave me himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit. He provided forgiveness for my sin. He promised me eternal life in heaven with him.
Call him what you will, I call him Savior, Lord, Friend, King, Father, Prince of Peace, hope, love, and life. Jesus was man, but in the eternal mystery beyond human understanding, he was and is God. He understands our needs.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman
About the author:
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
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Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
2 Comments
Thoroughly enjoyed this Norma. Sometimes I forget that He suffered these same things and really does understand my needs and what I’m going through. Thank you for reminding me of this today.
You’re welcome! I often need the reminder too.