Emotions

 In His life here on earth, Jesus displayed many earthly emotions. As we try to follow His example for life, it is helpful to explore some of the feelings and emotions that were displayed by Jesus. Regarding his physical body, He was tired, thirsty, and hungry. To know that he grew angry, became frustrated, felt sorrow, joy, exhaustion, anger, and even that He was indignant provides us great comfort when we feel strong emotions. The depth of the emotions of God is impossible to fathom, but nevertheless they existed. Jesus was touched by what he saw surrounding the widow at Nain’s son (Lk. 7:11-16) and Lazarus' death. He already knew that He would raise them, but the family and mourners didn't. The pain about losing His friend Lazarus had an observable effect on Him, even to tears, "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept."  Jn. 11:33-35 (ISV). He was also moved when He considered that the Jerusalem leaders had rejected Him. He reflected, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” – Matt. 37-39; cf. Lk. 19:41-44 (ESV). Along a Christian’s unique individual spiritual journey, we will have the emotions Jesus experienced. It is critical when this happens, we should rely on the Holy Spirit to soothe and encourage us. While our normal expectations have been uprooted, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us on the next step on this journey. These challenges are heightened during this time of uncertainty with the COVUS pandemic hovering around us. But we must redouble our efforts to depend on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, even when the next steps are not crystal clear.