The message and not just the messenger

As we have seen in 'Miracle', the greatest miracle of Jesus is himself (being fully man and fully God at the same time). Also, Jesus had 'skin in the game' (he suffered for us and still suffers with us ; the resurrected  Christ is the crucified Christ as he retained his wounds). To me, Jesus experiencing human experiences and emotions (suffering, joy, fear, frustration, love etc.) was (and is) essential for bringing about reconciliation between humans and God (by understanding gained through shared experiences). So, focusing just on the teachings of Jesus without focusing on Jesus himself is to miss the essential point! Similarly, practicing Christianity without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is 'hollow'.  Jesus is the message and not just the messenger (remember, he is supposed to be the 'logos' - the Word of God - and not a prophet).

God who suffers with us

To me, the concept of the 'God who suffers with us' is as important as the concept of the 'God who suffered for us' (passion/crucifixion of the Christ). It is because of the former is in our current reality (it happens even now) and as it comforts us (we are not alone in our suffering). Also, it makes the act of lessening someone else's suffering a holy one as in that process we are also lessening God's suffering. Again, it (our act of lessening some else's suffering) enables that person to 'see the invisible hand of God' in our actions and hence strengthening his/her belief in (relationship with) God!


It can also be argued that one of the key reasons of the 'Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us' in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14) was to enable God to be more compassionate with the humans. After all, can one really be kind to someone else without being kin?