Have you ever thought about the Jesus who identifies with us? Probably our understanding of him as the Son of God and our Saviour prevent us from considering the full implications of a verse like Hebrews 4:15;
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Yet a discussion on shame in class the other day got me thinking about the Jesus who not only sympathizes with us, but the Jesus who identifies with us. In regards to shame, Jesus was born into shame, ministered to those in shame and died in shame. This is much more than sympathizing. This is identifying himself with the shamed, the outcast, the lonely and the hurting. And what's even more amazing is how Jesus does this with his life, his words and even his touch.The details of Christ’s life constantly point to a Saviour that feels, experiences and knows the most painful aspects of life, while at the same time providing power and hope. It’s incredible to think that we have a Saviour who truly moves toward us in real and intimate ways.
"Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed him."
In considering this verse in Matthew 20, I've been really struck by the concept of touch, that Jesus reaches out physically, identifying himself with what has been shamed, and then giving power and life. We have a Saviour willing to touch us where we are most vulnerable, most hurting, and most afraid. We have a Saviour who doesn't stand far off or removed. We have Saviour willing to be made unlcean by our sin so that he can make us whole and give real, abundant life. How incredibly personal and intimate!
I can’t help but think that we should again be encouraged to identify with those around us, moving alongside those who are hurting, reaching out and then offering that renewing and cleansing power of Christ. The challenge is to do that in a real way like Christ, not standing far off, unwilling to get our hands dirty, but engaging in authentic compassion and love.We are encouraged to identify with the lost, unclean, and outcast because we have a Saviour who willingly did so, bringing salvation and strength, hope and honour and glorifying the Father in that very act of touching the unclean and restoring it to wholeness.
We bring glory to God when we are moved with compassion to identify ourselves with the broken, outcast, and hurting.
