Jesus: God and Man, a mystery

The mystery of my Christian faith that is most difficult for me to understand is: Jesus is God and Jesus is man. I find myself focusing on His divine nature; the miracles, wise words, death and resurrection. I miss the human side of Jesus. The side that makes Him a more real and true One who is example and friend.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Matthew 3:13 (NIV)

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2:1-2 (NIV)

Did Jesus need to be baptized by John? Of course not. Then why did He do it? Matthew tells us as he recounts that God spoke as Jesus came from the water. This was His Son that He loved and He was pleased with Him. He was pleased with Jesus’ obedience. He was pleased that Jesus was showing us about obedience and about the joy of baptism…that moment when you show that you have become God’s child. I was baptized as an infant. My parents stood for me and dedicated my life to God. About 12+ years ago, I made the decision that Jesus was my Savior and I needed a savior! So I decided to go through baptism again. It was a joyous sacrament, the outward sign of my inward change.

Jesus had just gone through baptism then 40 days of satan’s temptation followed by choosing His disciples and then where did He go? To the temple? Back to the desert for some more prayer? Nope. He goes to a wedding. A wedding??? Jesus was on the guest list. Why do you invited someone to your wedding? Maybe because they are a famous acquaintance? Jesus wasn’t famous. He had done no miracles to this point. He was still just ‘the carpenter’. Maybe because they are a friend; someone you want to celebrate this important day with you? People liked being with Jesus. Not because He was God. (They didn’t know that!) He was a good friend to people who probably had known Him for many years. He was a true friend.

Jesus showed me how to be a good person. He didn’t need to study the Torah and go to church but He went to the synagogue. He didn’t need an income but he became a craftsman like His earthly father and provided for His family. He had the task of redeeming the whole world – and yet he walked the dusty roads to Cana to attend a wedding.

Jesus is my Lord, my Redeemer, and my very best friend. I like Him. I love Him. I follow Him because He is God and man.