This is Jesus: Really Man

The “THIS IS” series

Vince Lombardi was an NFL coach and each year when he started training with his team he would start by explaining to professional seasoned players that “this is a football”. He wanted his players grounded in the basics because he knew that the basics were essential to winning. We want you to win in your spiritual life and so we are going to ingrain the most fundamental principles of our faith deeply into our hearts and minds.

It was July of 1961 and the 38 members of the Green Bay Packers football team were gathered together for the first day of training camp. The previous season had ended with a heartbreaking defeat when the Packers squandered a lead late in the 4th quarter and lost the NFL Championship to the Philadelphia Eagles.

This is JESUS!

The Green Bay players had been thinking about this brutal loss for the entire off-season and now, finally, training camp had arrived and it was time to get to work. The players were eager to advance their game to the next level and start working on the details that would help them win a championship.

Their coach, Vince Lombardi, had a different idea.

“This is a football.”

In his best-selling book, When Pride Still Mattered: A Life Of Vince Lombardi, author David Maraniss explains what happened when Lombardi walked into training camp in the summer of 1961.

He took nothing for granted. He began a tradition of starting from scratch, assuming that the players were blank slates who carried over no knowledge from the year before… He began with the most elemental statement of all. “Gentlemen,” he said, holding a pigskin in his right hand, “this is a football.”

Lombardi was coaching a group of three dozen professional athletes who, just months prior, had come within minutes of winning the biggest prize their sport could offer. And yet, he started from the very beginning.

Lombardi's methodical coverage of the fundamentals continued throughout training camp. Each player reviewed how to block and tackle. They opened up the playbook and started from page one. At some point, Max McGee, the Packers’ Pro Bowl wide receiver, joked, “Uh, Coach, could you slow down a little? You're going too fast for us.” Lombardi reportedly cracked a smile, but continued his obsession with the basics all the same. His team would become the best in the league at the tasks everyone else took for granted.

Six months later, the Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 37-0 to win the NFL Championship.

Over the next 4 weeks we are going to meet right here every week and talk about Jesus.

My hope is to help you increase your understanding of who Jesus is.

We will be looking at 4 very important facts about Jesus. 4 Rs.

“This is Jesus”

I want to start today by getting a better idea of your questions. I want to know where you are in your journey with Christ so that I can do my very best of guiding all of us down this journey of learning together.

Commitments

Here is what I would like for each of you to commit to:

This is a safe place for even dumb questions. I’ve asked dumb questions before and I will ask more in the future. But we aren’t going to make anyone feel small or less than for asking one.

I will make a commitment to be here each week with exceptions only in great emergency.

I expect participation but I won’t put anyone on the spot.

I will give others opportunity to interject and participate. Speak but strive to listen more than to speak. Seek to understand and then to be understood.

Pray for one another.

Here is my commitment to you:

I will do my best to bring you useful information that meets you where you are in your journey.

I am committed to be here for you.

When I don’t know the answer I will do everything I can to look for it with you.

I will prayerfully and carefully guide you to additional resources that will help you continue on in your journey at your pace.

I will pray for each of you.

This is JESUS!

We will be looking at 4 very important facts about Jesus. 4 Rs.

We will be looking at 4 very important facts about Jesus. 4 Rs.

I want to start today by getting a better idea of your questions. I want to know where you are in your journey with Christ so that I can do my very best of guiding all of us down this journey of learning together.

First I would like to get some ideas from you. You have some blank cards on your table.

What would make this commitment worth the time you are investing?

What do you hope to learn about Jesus over the next 4 weeks?

So as I said before, over these next four weeks we are going to be looking at 4 important facts about Jesus. 4 R’s if you will. Today I want us to dive right into the first of these 4 R’s.

Jesus Christ was REALLY a man

How do we know Jesus was really a man?

By his own claims

John 8:40 ESV

but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.

John 8:40 ESV

but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.

See also

In statements made by others

Statements found in scripture

John 19:5 ESV

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”

English Standard Version Chapter 8

27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Matthew 8:27 ESV

And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Mark 15:39 ESV

And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

mark

In Paul’s Letters

1 Corinthians 15:21 ESV

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

John 19:5 ESV

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”

1 Timothy 2:5 ESV

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:5 ESV

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Romans 5:15 ESV

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

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Genealogies in scripture

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Systematic Theology A. Its Reality

Compare the genealogies in Mat. 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38, the former of which proves Jesus to be in the royal line, and the latter of which proves him to be in the natural line, of succession from David; the former tracing back his lineage to Abraham, and the latter to Adam. Christ is therefore the son of David, and of the stock of Israel. Compare also the phrase “Son of man,” e. g., in Mat. 20:28, which, however much it may mean in addition, certainly indicates the veritable humanity of Jesus. Compare, finally, the term “flesh” (=human nature), applied to him in John 1:14—“And the Word became flesh,” and in 1 John 4:2—“every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”

Systematic Theology A. Its Reality

John 8:40—“ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth”; Acts. 2:22—“Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you”; Rom. 5:15—“the one man, Jesus Christ”; 1 Cor. 15:21—“by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead”; 1 Tim. 2:5—“one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus.” Compare the genealogies in Mat. 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38, the former of which proves Jesus to be in the royal line, and the latter of which proves him to be in the natural line, of succession from David; the former tracing back his lineage to Abraham, and the latter to Adam. Christ is therefore the son of David, and of the stock of Israel. Compare also the phrase “Son of man,” e. g., in Mat. 20:28, which, however much it may mean in addition, certainly indicates the veritable humanity of Jesus. Compare, finally, the term “flesh” (=human nature), applied to him in John 1:14—“And the Word became flesh,” and in 1 John 4:2—“every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”

Romans 5:15 ESV

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

Other passages

See also the Pharisees and teachers of the law; ;

If we want to go further we can look these up too ; ; ; some Jews; ; ; ;

Extra-biblical statements

Look up what is in logos or online.

Antiquities 20, 9, 1 by Josephus

In Books 18 and 20 of Antiquities of the Jews, written around AD 93 to 94, Jewish historian Josephus twice refers to the biblical Jesus. The general scholarly view holds that the longer passage, known as the Testimonium Flavianum, most likely consists of an authentic nucleus that was subjected to later Christian interpolation or forgery.[39][40] On the other hand, Louis H. Feldman states that "few have doubted the genuineness" of the reference found in Antiquities 20, 9, 1 to "the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James".[41][42][43][44]

The Roman historian Tacitus, in his Annals (written ca. AD 115), book 15, chapter 44,[45] describes Nero's scapegoating of the Christians following the Fire of Rome. He writes that founder of the sect was named Christus (the Christian title for Jesus); that he was executed under Pontius Pilate; and that the movement, initially checked, broke out again in Judea and even in Rome itself.[46] Some scholars question the historical value of the passage on various grounds.[47]

Jesus Christ shared in the general condition of humanity

Systematic Theology A. Its Reality

(b) He possessed the essential elements of human nature as at present constituted—a material body and a rational soul.

Systematic Theology A. Its Reality

Yet Christ was not all men in one, and he did not illustrate the development of all human powers. Laughter, painting, literature, marriage—these provinces he did not invade. Yet we do not regard these as absent from the ideal man. The perfection of Jesus was the perfection of self-limiting love. For our sakes he sanctified himself (John 17:19), or separated himself from much that in an ordinary man would have been excellence and delight. He became an example to us, by doing God’s will and reflecting God’s character in his particular environment and in his particular mission—that of the world’s Redeemer; see H. E. Robins, Ethics of the Christian Life, 259–303.

He assumed human nature

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

“flesh” here speaks not only of a material body but also of human nature.

See also ; ;

He had a human descent

Romans 1:3 ESV

concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

See also ; ;

Relationship to prophecy??

He had a normal body which could be handled and touched

1 John 1:1 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—

See also ; ;

He had a soul

Matthew 26:38 ESV

Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

See also

Jesus Christ partook of human experience

He was born

Galatians 4:4 ESV

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Luke 2:6–7 ESV

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Facts around his birth that fulfilled prophecy.

Isaiah was written in the 8th century BC.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Micah was written around 700 BC also in the 8th Century.

Micah 5:2 ESV

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Is

https://jewsforjesus.org/answers/top-40-most-helpful-messianic-prophecies/

He grew and developed

Luke 2:40 ESV

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

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Luke 2:52 ESV

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Another prophecy fulfilled in this. His family moved to Egypt to seek refuge from Herod and then moved back later.

Hosea 11:1 ESV

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

He was hungry

Matthew 21:18 ESV

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry.

Matthew 4:2 ESV

And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

He was thirsty

John 19:28 ESV

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”

John 4:7 ESV

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”

He was tired

John 4:6 ESV

Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

He slept

Matthew 8:24 ESV

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

He was tempted

Hebrews 2:18 ESV

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Matthew 4:1 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

;

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

He suffered

1 Peter 4:1 ESV

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

See also ; ; ;

He died

Jesus Christ most closely identified with the rest of humanity through his death. However Jesus Christ is distinct from human beings in that his death was an act of free will and not the inevitable consequence of sin (see Jn 10:17-18).

See also ;

The risen Christ has human characteristics

Luke 24:37–43 ESV

But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

See also

The returning Christ retains his human identity

Acts 1:11 ESV

and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus Christ was a sinless human being

Sinlessness does not make Jesus Christ less human. It is sin that degrades humanity.

See also ; ;

Why is it important to know Jesus was a man?

Why is it important to know Jesus was a man?

Why is it important that we know Jesus was really a man?

The necessity of Jesus Christ’s humanity

As a man Jesus Christ made atonement for sin

Romans 5:18–19 ESV

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

See also ; ;

As a man Jesus Christ gives the gift of resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:21 ESV

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

See also ;

As a man Jesus Christ is able to help others in their need

Hebrews 2:18 ESV

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

See also

As a man Jesus Christ is the perfect example

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.