Jesus was a caregiver. We may have become aware of this, perhaps some of us have not. Nevertheless, I want to address the term base on our modern day understanding.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gather her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing”- Matthew 23: 37
Some illustrations from the Bible gives a clear perspective of an image from the spiritual realms. Especially, those dealing with animals- “descending on him like a dove”, “on the hills like a sheep without a shepherd”, “they will soar on wings like an eagle”.
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters covers the sea”- Isaiah 11:6- 9
In the illustration in the scripture which I am highlighting on for this article (Matthew 23:37) we see Jesus’ heart of compassion for His people; God’s people, the offsprings of the nation of Israel. Here we see an image of the hen’s wings over her chicks, passionately, yet masculine power of protection for His young. Caregivers can experience a noticeable amount of stress; 35% caregivers take care of someone 50+ and reports it being highly stressful, 4-10 caregivers of people of 50+ are highly stressed. We usually don’t picture our Savior and King as a person who was distressed. This missing image of our redeemer leaves a void in the picture. What is it for Jesus to experience salvation without the experience of walking within this life in our shoes? What is it to be human and not understand joy & pain. What does it mean to know God’s heart bleeding for His people and not listen to the lyrics of His songs on Lamentation? Jesus was depressed. Although, he did not remain in this mental state throughout His life. What is the moral of Gethsemane?
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground”- Luke 22:44
Consider Jesus with the professional term “trauma dump” His loved ones, the multiple issues within His personal life as He was going through daily therapy sessions which He heard, plus, he personally felt. Think about it, who was Jesus’ therapist? - Answer: His prayers. Where did His sorrow fall? How was His stress extorted?
“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’, he asked Peter.”- Matthew 26: 40
Consider the professional term “vicarious trauma” when it comes to Jesus’ psychic make-up. We know he was mentally healthy. Here we see how & why our Savior could be an intercessor for us as a human shield…. He has the experience.