Jesus truly like us? Can it be a realistic goal to strive to be like him? We will not reach his perfection in this life. He knows that. But can we actually draw closer to his likeness as we strive to live like him?
The answer to that last question is, absolutely.
Do you realize just how human Jesus was? Consider what the writer of Hebrews says:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are– yet he did not sin. (Heb. 4:15 NIV)
We see his heart touched with sympathy and sorrow for the widow who was about to bury her only son. We see his frustration with apostles who were not getting it and were being consumed by jealousy toward one another. We see his anger at the hypocrisy and the replacing of God’s commands with what was nothing more than the traditions of men. We see his gratitude for the woman who anointed him in preparation for his death and his anger toward all who failed to see what she was doing because of their own selfish blindness.
Even in his anger and frustration, he still sought the best for those who opposed him.
He had the same emotions we have. Every form of temptation that comes to us came to him.
So what was and is the difference?
Everything about him was guided completely and totally by the will of God. We miss his likeness when we are guided by our own selfish will and our personal desires. He knew God and listened to him. To be like him, we must do the same.