Because Jesus faced powerful temptations Himself, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane, we can relate to Him as our personal Lord and Savior. “For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted,” Hebrew 2:18. Some believe the Garden is where Jesus shows mankind His humanness, by which He can relate to our sufferings and sorrows. Jesus first displayed His humanness when He descended the ‘mount of transfiguration.’ He went up the mountain as the Son of God with three of His disciples, Peter, James and John. He descended the mountain not as the son of God, but as the son of man—turning His back on the glory of His omnipotence (all powerful God), omnipresence (ability to be everywhere at all times), omniscience (superior knowledge and wisdom) in order to identify Himself with fallen humanity.
From the transfiguration forward to Gethsemane, the cross, the resurrection, and His ascension, every member of the human race can enter into the life of God. As Christians we have eternal life in us now. This truth should give us great courage and patience to endure anything that we might experience. Near the end of His ministry, Jesus spoke of His authority as the son of man: “At that time men will see the son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory,” Mark 13:26. He will dispatch His angels to gather His elect—that is, all who have acknowledged Him as Lord and Savior.
He also said to the high priest and other members of the Sanhedrin: “You will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of Heaven,” Mark 14:62. By this, He meant that the high priest would yet see Him openly manifested (revealed) as God. When Christ was here the first time, the glory of His deity was veiled in a human body, but when He comes again in power and great glory, the veil will be removed and everyone will know exactly who Christ is. When we don’t know the son of man, we make choices as though this human life is all we have.
My weekly prayer is for the reader of this commentary to become spiritually inspired of God. Become a Prayer Partner with Expressions of Faith (EOF) by sending for a copy of our Intercessory Prayer and re-dedicate of your life to Christ. Contact EOF at: P.O. Box 330127, Nashville, Tenn. 37203 or e-mail w310watson@aol.com
