After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”-John 13:21
What does it mean that Jesus was “troubled in his spirit”? I think it means that Jesus was stirred up, upset, wrestling, or visibly bothered. When we think about the characteristics of Jesus, most of us would never think to describe him as “troubled.” We imagine him as serene, peaceful, or even disengaged. When we base our understanding of Jesus on those assumptions, we come to believe that in order to be like him, we need to be emotionless–or only allow the positive emotions–happiness, joy, contentment, or humor. We view “negative” emotions, such as anger, fear, or sadness, as less godly. But Jesus was troubled because he was human.
He was facing death. His friend had betrayed him to the Sanhedrin and soon, they would come to arrest him, try him, and deliver him to a brutal crucifixion. If he wasn’t “troubled in spirit,” he would be inhuman.
It is profoundly human to feel deep sadness over loss, anger about injustice, anxiety in the face of threat, or mirth when you hear a dumb joke. If you want to learn from Jesus, do not whitewash his emotional life because if you do, you erase his humanity.
Prayer
Jesus, help us to know that to be created in your image is to be emotional. Thank you for revealing your emotional life, so that we might know that our emotions make us more like you. Help us to be honest with our emotions so that we will become fully alive. Amen.
Jason Kanz 