We may say of a baby, “He looks like his mother.” As he gets a little older and develops a personality, we may say, “He took after his father.” Jesus was God’s Son (divine) (John 3:16), yet He was Mary’s Son (human) (Matthew 1:18-25). So, which was it — human or divine? Did Jesus take after His father or His mother?
Both! A baby is completely his father’s son and completely his mother’s son. We can see traits of both in any child. And we see some of both His Father and mother in Jesus. Jesus often showed His “human side” of compassion, physical weakness, and spiritual struggle (Luke 4:1-11). Jesus also showed His “divine side” of miraculous power, remarkable wisdom, and insight into the secrets of men’s hearts (cf. John 2:25). Consider a few examples:
It was the mother’s Son who was so tired that He slept in the back of the boat during a storm (Matthew 8:24), but it was the Father’s Son who awoke to say, “Peace be still,” and the wind hushed at the sound of His voice (8:26).
It was the mother’s Son who wept for Lazarus’ grieving sisters (John 11:35), but it was the Father’s Son who offered the Samaritan woman the water of life (4:14) and knew all her personal history (4:17).
It was the mother’s Son who wept for Lazarus’ grieving sisters (John 11:35), but it was the Father’s Son who said, “Roll away the stone. . .” and cried, “Lazarus come forth” (11:39, 43). As Man, He sympathizes with us in our sorrows and separations, and as God, He sends them away.
It was the mother’s Son who cried in the garden, “Let this cup of suffering pass from me” (Matthew 26:39a), but the Father’s Son who said, “Not my will but thine be done. . .” (26:39b).
It was the mother’s Son who cried out, “I thirst” from the cross (John 19:28), but it was the Father’s Son who said, “Father, forgive them they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
It was the mother’s Son whose lifeless body was buried in a tomb on Friday (Matthew 27:60), but it was the Father’s Son who rose from the grave on Sunday morning (Matthew 28:6).
It is the mother’s Son who, because He lived among us, knows our human weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), but is the Father’s Son who stands at God’s Throne interceding for us (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus was God — He knows our needs. Jesus was man — He understands our feelings.
