Emotion

Jesus was emotional - but perfectly so.

The perfect way that Jesus used his emotions was an essential part of the way he experienced the love of God in both law & gospel. (His ability to perfectly experience and commune with God is the very thing that proved him perfect enough to pay for your sins.) The night before Jesus was killed on the cross, he was in a garden praying that God would save the world another way - instead of through his innocent and tortured death. 

His emotions were so strong, he "sweat like drops of blood." 

Jesus heard the law say to him that it would be too terrible to experience that pain and be forsaken by God his Father. He rightfully feared this. At the same time, Jesus heard the gospel say that it was okay that this experience would overwhelm and kill him. The unconditional love of God (also known as the gospel) made it good news that he would die. 

Remarkable. 

Jesus, understanding these simultaneous truths, felt extreme fear and extreme hope, all in the same sentence. "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42) This isn't resignation or despair. This isn't denial. 

You are allowed to feel emotion, and to feel it deeply. God gave you those emotions to help you experience him. He is not just a set of truths, he is not simply a supreme being - he is love. Feeling emotions is part of how you feel him.

- Pastor Kent Reeder