The Man

I have a multitude of unique preferences and idiosyncrasies.  Translation:  I have a bunch of weird quirks.  I have enough self awareness to admit that the number and nature of them can be classified as bizarre.



For example, if I am walking with an open beverage and I am unfortunate enough to smell a random foul odor, I will throw my drink away.  I am convinced that the air that carried that smell to my nose is now in my drink.



Another example would be the fact that I have to dot every I and cross every T, literally.  Seriously, when I hand write something I have to go back over the document and make sure that every I and T have their rightfully assigned dots and crosses.  Sometimes I test myself to see if I  could purposely leave an I or T unfinished.  Impossible!  Something compels me to go back and correct it.



Other examples include the absolute fury that runs through my body when someone pinches me.  Or the unique way that I have to shower at a hotel in order to make sure that no part of the shower curtain touches me.  Or flushing public toilets before I use them, even if it is a fresh bowl, with the hope that I can flush away some of the awful germs.



The list goes infinitely on, but I will you spare you the others.
 

As I reflect on Resurrection Sunday, its meaning and its magnitude, of course it brings me straight to Jesus.  This morning my thoughts are not on Jesus the Divine God, but Jesus the man.  My mind wondered to thoughts of how He was as a person, in the flesh, just like you and me.  I wondered what were his likes, dislikes, preferences and quirks.



Did he not like his food to touch?  Did he hate to get to bed after a certain time? Could he tolerate all the times he bagged or bruised his hand while working but it was the small wooden splinters that drove him nuts?  Did he wear a head wrap while working because he hated the stinging of sweat in his eyes?  Did certain sounds annoy like crickets or clanging metal annoy him? What did he think about when he was up late and could not sleep?
 

When I think about him in this way, it makes this day much more powerful.  That a man, with feelings, preferences, likes, dislikes, just like me, went to the cross.  It makes me realize that it was Jesus the Divine God that rose from the dead but it was Jesus the man who went to the cross.



I invite you to think of Jesus in this way.  Take a moment to see him as a flesh and blood man.  Now picture the embarrassment, the pain, the stinging and irritating sweat in this eye, the thirst, the hunger, the desires, the sleepiness, the annoying sounds, the cramps, the agony.



Many times we view Easter as a tradition to be celebrated without stopping to really reflect.  So today saints, reflect.  Your point of reflection may be different than mine, but I am certain you will get a fresh perspective and a stronger appreciation for what Jesus, the God man, did for you and me. 



Thank you, Jesus!