DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Jesus Understands
by Julie Ogg
"When they (the magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." (Matthew 13:2)
For those of us who may be tempted to imagine Jesus’ early years as a gold embossed nativity scene complete with fresh straw, rested parents, and a shining halo, this verse shatters that illusion.
Jesus was born in an unfamiliar town with no lodging or extended family after an arduous journey prompted by an occupying nation. Jesus’ family then fled, at the angel’s instruction, to Egypt and lived there until after Herod’s death.
While Jesus was God’s son nothing about his life was easy. This is so important for us to remember when we bring our struggles to Him.
Jesus can identify with those who flee their homeland to escape violence and persecution. While Jesus fled to Egypt, Herod had all the boys age two and under killed in Bethlehem (Luke 2:16). Jesus’ family survived but were displaced and alone far from their typical support systems.
Jesus can relate to those who are misunderstood and rejected. Jesus’ own family often did not understand who he was as Messiah (Mark 3:31-35). He was rejected by most of the religious leaders of his day and also by his closest friends (Luke 22:54-62).
Jesus experienced personal temptation from Satan himself (Luke 4:1-13), and also the daily emotions and limits of life in a human body. The Gospels record Jesus being tired (John 4:6), overcome with grief (Matthew 23:36-38, John 11:35), and angry at hard-heartedness and injustice (Mark 3:1-6, 11:15-18).
As Isaiah prophesied in 53:1, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."
Let this understanding motivate you to bring your deepest emotions, questions, and pain to the one who understands our weakness. "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." (Hebrews 4:15).
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that you are Emmanuel, God With Us. Give us confidence, that when we fellowship with you we can bring our whole selves, knowing that you understand what it is to be human. We are so grateful for this precious gift!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JULIE OGG
I have lived throughout the Midwest, the last twelve years in Columbus with my husband, Dan, and dog, Lollipop. I love to cook, travel, read, garden, and spend time with our nieces and nephews. I am naturally drawn to the Old Testament, particularly the poetic and prophetic books. I am grateful to be a part of the community of believers at UALC.
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