As we studied the life of Jesus, we noticed a trend — Jesus displayed immense empathy for the poor and the needy. But why? Then it struck us. Jesus was homeless himself. He noted that birds had nests and foxes had holes, but he didn’t have a place to rest his head each night. His life was one of simplicity and deprivation.
The man who prayed to God, “Give us this day our daily bread,” experienced hunger. The man who offered “living water,” ironically, knew thirst.
His life was not luxurious or easy. He labored with his hands. He didn’t have a closet full of clothes or a pantry filled with food. He was a nomad relying on the kindness and generosity of others.
This was the Jesus that we knew so many could relate to. People struggling to pay the rent. Parents facing the dilemma of either going to an hourly wage job or staying home with a sick child. Hard workers holding two and three jobs just to fill gas tanks and refrigerators.
The exhaustion, the uncertainty, and the struggle are all things we today and the Jesus of 2,000 years ago have in common.
