God is never out of touch with our reality.
Jesus: Fully God, Yet Fully Human
When Jesus Christ left heaven’s glory to walk among us, He didn’t cling to His divine advantages. Instead, He willingly handicapped Himself, not by force, but by choice. Though He possess the fullness of Almighty God, He made Himself nothing (Phillippians 2:7 NIV), taking the nature of a servant.
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” C.S. Lewis, theologian
Jesus chose limitation, He chose weakness. He chose pain. He chose to experience life not as a privileged King, but as a humble, suffering servant.
A God Who Understands Our Struggles
If you think of God as distant or detached, please know that in Christ, we have a God who can relate to EVERY hardship we face, even the struggles of disability and limitation. The Bible assures us in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses.”
God is never out of touch with our reality.
Jesus knew exhaustion, loneliness, betrayal, physical agony, emotional sorrow and even an unanswered prayer – all of it. He understands the frailty of the human experience because He fully entered into it.
“Christ chose to be handicapped. If you have a physical handicap or maybe even an emotional or mental one, then you’re not in bad company. If anything, you’re in an elite fellowship with Christ Himself.” Joni Eareckson Tada
Jesus’ Chosen Limitations
Think about it. The architect of galaxies worked with rough wood as a carpenter. The creator of life itself grew weary and needed rest. The voice that spoke the universe into existence cried out in hunger and thirst. The King of Kings touched lepers and sinners, choosing the broken and outcast.
He could have called down angels at any moment. He could have lived untouched by pain. Yet He chose the path of limitation so that He could truly be called “Emmanuel” (God with us).
You Are Not Alone in Your Limitations
Whether you struggle with a physical disability, mental health challenges or emotional scars, Jesus understands. Not only because He is omniscient (all-knowing), but because He lived it. He subjected Himself to the brokenness of this world so He could walk with you in yours.
You are never alone in your weakness. In fact, your weakness draws you closer to a Savior who willingly chose weakness for your sake.
When we struggle with our limitations, we can find incredible comfort in knowing our Savior gets it, not from a distance, but from the inside out. Jesus’ handicap was His love in action. He limited Himself so that He mmight lift us up and set us free.
“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” Corrie ten Boom
And that love is seen in the willing humility of Christ, who handicapped Himself for you and me.