He Knows What It’s Like

When Jesus walked among us, He didn’t empty Himself of His divine attributes, but He did accept the limitations of humanity.

In Philippians 2, we read, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (verse 6–8 NLT).

We know from Scripture that Jesus was tired. On one occasion, as He came to the city of Samaria, the Bible tells us that He was weary (see John 4:6 NLT). He had been walking all day, probably in the scorching heat of Israel.

How easily could Jesus have said to His disciples, “You go ahead. I’ll meet you there.” Then He could have simply appeared in Samaria. After all, He was God. Why tire yourself out like that?

Yet Jesus voluntarily went through the process of feeling what it was like to be tired and exhausted.

We also know that Jesus felt hungry. During His temptation in the wilderness, He was hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights (see Matthew 4:2). The Bible also tells us that He experienced physical thirst. Hanging on the cross, He cried out, “I thirst!” (John 19:28 NKJV). The very God who created water, who could speak to a rock and cause water to gush out, experienced thirst.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (NLT).

We have a God who knows what it’s like to walk in our shoes. He knows what we’re going through.