So...Jesus was about a cause- people were His cause- loving people enough to die for them. Lots of people on earth have died for lots of different causes. I remember watching a video last year in a modern US history class that showed film from the civil rights' movement. We talked about how passionate MLK was about nonviolent protesting and one image stands out to me in my head: a young black girl who was being savagely beaten, who just laid there and did nothing to defend herself or her cause. Do I believe in something that much? I'd like to be able to say that I do.
Back to Jesus. Last night at the BCM meeting I was challenged to read the sermon on the mount (Matt. 5-7), Jesus' first sermon. The fact that this was His first sermon got me thinking. It had been 400 years since the last prophet, Malachi. This was God in the flesh. It makes me think that He may have had some things to update them on- things that He was just itching to tell them. Not only this but also, the fact that He had come in the flesh to live among them (1 Kings 8:27) in order to give liberty to the captives, bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61), and to give hope to the hopeless.
What about the emotions that Jesus experienced as a man? obviously He experienced them (see gospels of Matt, Mark, Luke, John) and obviously He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). I wonder if Jesus ever felt inclined to act on His emotions- right then and there. What role are the emotions of happiness, fear, anger, or lack thereof, etc. that I experience supposed to play in my daily life? When did Jesus know when or when not to act on those emotions? As He walked down the street, looking into the eyes of those He passed, not only seeing their person but seeing into their hearts- what did He see there? what did He feel? did He try to contain those feelings? did He ever hold back? why?
Hellooooooo, fellow blogger! I had no idea you were on here either! You're more than welcome to post links all over the daggum internet if you want :)
ReplyDeleteAbout your post...I know it's been like 3 weeks since you wrote it, and you might have already had these questions answered in the meantime, but since I just finished the OT and JUST started the NT, I'm planning on asking someone (either that...ahem...special someone...or the college pastor) a few practical questions about Jesus (What was He like as a kid? Did he know everything as soon as He was born? If so, He would have already been talking because He would've known everything. I'm so confused...), and I'll add some of yours onto my list and get back to you if I get them answered.
As for the role of our emotions...one possible answer that I believe in: they allow us to enjoy life "more abundantly". Another answer I believe is that they allow us to feel for people (like Jesus did when He passed people on the street and felt for them) and they allow us to care more about actually acting on our emotions and actually helping people.