The Human One

We’re so used to thinking of Jesus as God, our Lord and Savior, that sometimes his humanity slips our mind. Yes, Jesus was fully-God (the same Divine Image we read about so many times in the Old Testament; certainly he is the Angel of the Lord, who called to Moses out of a bush and led the Israelites as cloud and fire in the desert). To be fully-man required that Jesus enter into our world that he created. This meant that he would grow up and live among sinful people, up close and personal.

God’s holiness doesn’t tolerate sin, but the sinless Son of God was sent to love and minister to us before becoming sin for anyone who would believe, all while perfectly reflecting the Image of the Father. As God, of course he loves his creation, but as a man, Jesus loved his family and friends in the way we’re all meant to.

Jesus would often stay in the small village of Bethany with his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha, along with Simon the Leper. Bethany was located on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives, just a couple miles east of Jerusalem. He would often return there, even during the week prior to his crucifixion. One time, while he was away, Lazarus became sick and his sisters sent word to Jesus. He stayed another 2 days after the message reached him before telling his disciples that they would travel back to Judea.

“But Rabbi,” his disciples said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

After telling them a short parable, Jesus continued, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” The disciples thought that getting some rest would be good for their friend. But then Jesus explained, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Once they arrived in Bethany,  Lazarus had been in the tomb for 4 days. Jesus was deeply moved, seeing his friends weeping and that they wished he had arrived sooner.

“Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept. Fully divine, he knew everything that would happen. He knew exactly what he would do according to God’s plan. Even so, he grieved as we all do after losing a friend, fully human.

When Jesus commanded him, Lazarus came out still wrapped in burial cloth. Many witnesses would come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah that day.

This Jesus, Son of Man, the Human One, knows what it's like to be human, to feel pain and anger, sadness and joy. He's been here and he's coming back. And that's why we can trust him.

P.S. After 2000 years, the area on this same southeastern slope, now densely populated, is called el-'Aziriyeh (Arabic) - “the place of Lazarus.” The residents have no memory of its former name.