The
biblical basis for the humanity of Jesus presents itself both
directly and indirectly. The direct references in the New Testament
begin with the Gospel of John. He bears witness to how Jesus, the
eternal Word, “became flesh and dwelt among us.”1
Paul testifies that Jesus is “born of woman, and born under law,”2
just like all men since Adam. Jesus' humanity is implied by his
physiological condition. The simple fact that he is born of a woman,
gives evidence that he entered this world in the conventional manner.
He experienced life in the same way that all men do. He had to
learn how to crawl, walk, eat, and talk as all children do3.
His forty day fast and subsequent test in the wilderness with Satan
revealed that Jesus was subject to human needs. He felt hunger,
fatigue, and carnal temptations associated with power, and pleasure.
His agony over facing wrath and separation from God in Gethsemane
shows emotional pain and affliction. At the culmination of his life
and ministry he faced and conquered the destiny of all men: physical
death.
The
deity of Jesus is summed up in one sentence by Paul in the Epistle to
the Colossians. “He is the image of the invisible God.”4
The Gospel writers quote Jesus referring to himself as “Son of
Man” more than any other title. This is a messianic title for the
“preexistent one who will come at the end of the ages as judge and
as a light to the Gentiles.”5
At his baptism, and transfiguration, Jesus is called another
messianic title, “Son of God.” Paul frequently refers to Jesus
as “Lord,” which is a title reserved only for Yahweh himself.
John calls Jesus the “Word” who was God in the beginning.6
He records Jesus saying “ego eimi,”
or “I Am”, eight
times in his Gospel.7
Jesus removed any doubt that he is anything other than Yahweh, the
eternal God of Israel.
Jesus
is both human and divine; theanthropos: the
God-man.8
At the incarnation of Christ, the moment when God took on flesh, his
divine nature was joined with his human nature. Jesus is fully God,
and fully man. God is one, thus both natures exist together and
complete. Hence, Jesus is, “consubstantial with the Father.”9
This means that they are of the same substance, and the immutable
nature of God is not changed at the incarnation of Jesus. We must
not overstress either nature of Christ. If we believe Jesus was
simply a man sent by God, his own claims to be the great “I Am”
would be false. If he were a
celestial being that shared no common thread with mankind, he would
not have been able to be a propitiation for man.
In
order for men to be redeemed, God had to raise up a man to fulfill
his Law completely. God's plan of redemption made provision for sin
to be paid for by blood; and only by blood. Only a perfect, sinless
man was qualified to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of
mankind. Jesus Messiah, the “stump of Jesse,” left the throne of
heaven, poured himself into human flesh, and paid the price for our
salvation. The author of Hebrews said that we have a “great High
Priest” who can sympathize with us in every way. He has felt what
we feel, was tempted as we are tempted, yet without sin.10
There
are some common objections to biblical Christology. Monarchianism
held Christ as a “second God besides the Father.”11
Christianity is monotheistic. God is clear in describing himself as
one, without exception.
Arianism said that Christ was made or created before time. A proper
view of the trinity gives clarity to this teaching. Christ is
eternally begotten, uncreated, preexistent. Therefore, he was not
made at any point in eternity past. Apollinarianism denied that
Jesus had complete manhood, which is contrary to what Hebrews says
about his identification with man. Nestorianism said that the two
natures of Christ existed side by side. This denies the unity of the
nature of God and therefore denies that “the impassible Word”
died for humanity.12
All these false teachings err in their assertion that there is some
separation in the nature of God. God is unified “without
confusion, without conversion, without division, and without
separation.”13
Jesus presented the perfect example of living a holy,
sacrificial life that is pleasing and perfect to God. He faced pain,
ridicule, rejection, and death, all for the sake of reconciling
mankind to the Father. He gave all of himself for those who
Scripture calls his enemies. It makes me ask myself if I would do
the same?
Bibliography:
Elwell,
Walter A. 2001. Evangelical
dictionary of theology.
Grand Rapids, Mich: Paternoster Press
Towns,
Elmer. 2002. The Gospel
of John: Believe and Live. Chattanooga,
TN: AMG Publishers
1John
1:14 ESV
2Galatians
4:4 ESV
3Elwell,
Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 2001.
pg. 239
4Colossians
1:15 ESV
5Elwell.
pg. 240
6John
1:1 ESV
7Towns,
Elmer. The Gospel of John: Believe and Live. pg.
xvi
8Elwell.
pg. 584
9Ibid.
pg. 219.
10Hebrews
4:14 ESV
11Elwell.
pg. 241
12Ibid.
pg. 242
13Ibid.
pg. 243
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