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As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, I’ve been thinking a lot about what Jesus’ life would have been like while here on earth.
He spoke Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew. His family would have called him Yeshua.
He was raised in a small village named Nazareth, perhaps with between 100-400 people. His home may have been a sort of cave on the side of a hill.
He received standard education for boys, being especially encouraged to read. He most likely apprenticed under Joseph as a carpenter, travelling to various towns for work.
He lived the life of a devout Jew, saying morning and evening prayers, and going to synagogue to worship and learn the word of God every week.
His looks were average. He was probably around 5'3" and 132 pounds. His skin would have been darker than the depictions we’re used to seeing, with a beard and very dark hair. He wrote traditional, modest Jewish clothing. He was single.
[I unpack the reasoning for these details via the link below.]
One of the reasons it can be helpful to think about all of this is because it reminds us that Jesus can relate to our human experiences and real-world troubles. While it is true that he is the divine Son of God, he is also the human son of Mary who experienced pain, hunger, fatigue and tears. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
He can empathize with our weakness. And although he never sinned, he knows what it’s like to be tempted in every way.
Ours is a Saviour who knows how desperate life can get. Ours is a Friend who knows how lonely it can be. Ours is a Teacher who knows that the world can seem overwhelming and confusing.
You need a guide who has already walked these streets and seen the underbelly of life’s worst.
Today, renew your trust in the Jesus who knows what it’s like.
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