Every time I read this passage, I’m surprised to see how much Jesus puts Himself on our side—the human side, I mean, rather than identifying Himself as God. Oh, of course Jesus is both God and Man—but all the emphasis here is on the human side. He says, “I will tell of Your Name to My brothers,” and “Behold, I and the children God has given Me” (Psalm 22:22a; Isaiah 8:18a). It’s as if all humanity is on one side, facing God—and Jesus is standing with us, speaking for us as one of us.
He puts Himself on our side elsewhere, too. If you read the Gospels, it looks like Jesus’ favorite nickname for Himself is “Son of Man.” That’s not a term I hear a lot in church—if people say anything, it’s usually “Son of God,” isn’t it? But when Jesus gets to choose for Himself, it’s almost always “Son of Man” He goes for—and that puts the emphasis on what He shares with us—our human nature. Although the name comes from the Old Testament, even there, almost all the time, it emphasizes the humanity of the person who gets called that.
Why does Jesus do this? It can only be love. Being a human being is not much to be proud of, when you consider the evil we’ve fallen into. And yet Jesus wants that nature and takes it upon Himself when He comes into the world. He identifies Himself with us—takes our side. And why? “So that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Through His death on the cross He became the Savior of the whole human race, and through His resurrection He gives life to everyone who trusts in Him. As Paul says, “For as by a man came death, by a Man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to our side—to save us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Tell about someone who was “on your side” when you needed help.
2. Why did it have to be a human being who became our Savior, do you think?
3. Is Jesus still on your side? How do you know?