Who is Christ? Part 1
20 Basics for all Believers • Sermon • Submitted
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When the person of Jesus God physically entered into our world, An infinite God came to live in a finite world. The one who knew exactly how things were supposed to be came to a place where things obviously weren’t.
The topic of the humanity of Jesus Christ does not, in some ways, arouse quite the attention and controversy that his deity does. It seems on first glance to be something of a self-evident matter, for whatever Jesus was, he most surely must have been human. In the twentieth century, Jesus’s humanity did not receive the close and extensive attention paid to his deity, which was a major topic of dispute between fundamentalists and modernists. For what is not disputed tends not to be discussed, at least not in as much depth as are major controversies. Yet, historically, the topic of Jesus’s humanity has played at least as important a role in theological dialogue as has his deity, particularly in the earliest years of the church. And in practical terms, it has in some ways posed a greater danger to orthodox Christianity.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 643). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Jesus Christ was, and forever will be, fully God and fully man in one person.
Jesus Christ was, and forever will be, fully God and fully man in one person.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Jesus - Fully Man
Jesus - Fully Man
Jesus was fully and completely human. He was conceived in the womb of his mother by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
The importance of Jesus’s humanity cannot be overestimated, for the issue in the incarnation pertains to our salvation.
The human problem is the gap between us and God.
The human problem is the gap between us and God.
The gap is, to be sure, ontological. -The study of relation to being or existence.
God is far superior to humans, so much so that he cannot be known by unaided human reason.
If he is to be known, God must take some initiative to make himself known to humanity.
If he is to be known, God must take some initiative to make himself known to humanity.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (pp. 644-645). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Just as we have a human body, so did Jesus.
Just as we have a human body, so did Jesus.
He was born. He did not descend from heaven and suddenly appear upon earth, but was conceived in the womb of a human mother
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 645). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Just as we have a human body, so did Jesus. As a child, he “grew and became strong” (Luke 2:40), and as he grew older, he “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). He became “wearied” from a journey (John 4:6); after a fast, “he was hungry” (Matt. 4:2); and while on the cross, he said, “I thirst” (John 19:28). His body was, in every respect, just like ours.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Why is it so important that Jesus be fully human?
Why is it so important that Jesus be fully human?
The problem is not merely ontological.
There is a spiritual and moral gap between God and Man, a gap created by humans’ sin.
There is a spiritual and moral gap between God and Man, a gap created by humans’ sin.
Humans cannot by their own moral effort counter their sin in order to elevate themselves to the level of God.
Humans cannot by their own moral effort counter their sin in order to elevate themselves to the level of God.
If there is to be fellowship between the two, they have to be united in some other way.
If there is to be fellowship between the two, they have to be united in some other way.
This, it is traditionally understood, has been accomplished by the incarnation, in which deity and humanity were united in one person. - Jesus Christ
This, it is traditionally understood, has been accomplished by the incarnation, in which deity and humanity were united in one person. - Jesus Christ
If, however, Jesus was not really one of us, humanity has not been united with deity and we cannot be saved.
If, however, Jesus was not really one of us, humanity has not been united with deity and we cannot be saved.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 645). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14 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.
Jesus had the same physiology and the same physical limitations as other humans. He experienced hunger (Matt. 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), and fatigue (John 4:6). Thus, he was justifiably dismayed when his disciples fell asleep while he was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, for he experienced the same type of weariness they did (Matt. 26:36, 40–41). Finally, Jesus suffered physically and died, just like everyone else. This is evident in the entire crucifixion story, but perhaps most clear in John 19:34, where we read that a spear was thrust into his side, and water and blood mingled came out, indicating that he had already died. Surely he had felt physical suffering (as genuinely as would you or I) when he was beaten, the crown of thorns was placed on his head, and the nails were driven through his hands (or wrists) and feet.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (pp. 645-646). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
39 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.”
Jesus was like us in every respect but one: he was without sin.
Jesus was like us in every respect but one: he was without sin.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
19 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.
Docetism
Docetism
We see such a denial of the reality of Jesus’s humanity already in the situation John’s first letter vigorously opposed. In addition to a specific group of Christians known as Docetists, a basic denial of Jesus’s humanity permeated many other movements within Christianity, including Gnosticism and Marcionism. 1188 In many ways, it was the first full-fledged heresy, with the possible exception of the Judaizing legalism Paul had to combat in Galatia.
Whereas Ebionism denied the actuality of the deity of Christ, Docetism denied his humanity.
Whereas Ebionism denied the actuality of the deity of Christ, Docetism denied his humanity.
Docetism’s central thesis is that Jesus only seemed to be human.
Docetism’s central thesis is that Jesus only seemed to be human.
If he only “seemed” to be human, He cannot identify with us and our human struggle since he was never “actually” human.
If he only “seemed” to be human, He cannot identify with us and our human struggle since he was never “actually” human.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 650). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Docetism is in essence a Christology heavily influenced by basic Greek assumptions of both the Platonic and Aristotelian varieties. Plato taught the idea of gradations of reality. Spirit or mind or thought is the highest. Matter or the material is less real. With this distinction of ontological gradations of reality, there came to be ethical gradations as well. Thus, matter came to be thought of as morally bad.
Aristotle emphasized the idea of divine impassibility, according to which God cannot change, suffer, or even be affected by anything that happens in the world. While these two streams of thought have significant differences, both maintain that the visible, physical, material world is somehow inherently evil. Both emphasize God’s transcendence and absolute difference from and independence of the material world.
Docetism takes its name from the Greek verb δοκέω ( dokeō ), which means “to seem or appear.”
Docetism takes its name from the Greek verb δοκέω ( dokeō ), which means “to seem or appear.”
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 651). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
It was essentially saying that while the deity was real and complete, the humanity was only appearance or illusion.
It was essentially saying that while the deity was real and complete, the humanity was only appearance or illusion.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 651). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Apollinarianism
Apollinarianism
Believed Jesus became human, but not fully human.
Believed Jesus became human, but not fully human.
Erickson, Millard J.. Christian Theology (p. 651). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Jesus must be fully human.
Jesus must be fully human.
Just as Jesus had to be human to live in our place, he also had to be human to die in our place.
Just as Jesus had to be human to live in our place, he also had to be human to die in our place.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
15 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.
The remarkableness of Jesus is his fully human aspect while having the ability to live a sinless life.
The remarkableness of Jesus is his fully human aspect while having the ability to live a sinless life.
18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Implications of the Humanity of Jesus
Implications of the Humanity of Jesus
The doctrine of the full humanity of Jesus has great significance for Christian faith and theology:
The doctrine of the full humanity of Jesus has great significance for Christian faith and theology:
The atoning death of Jesus can truly avail for us. It was not some outsider to the human race who died on the cross. He was one of us, and thus could truly offer a sacrifice on our behalf. Just like the Old Testament priest, Jesus was a human who offered a sacrifice on behalf of his fellows.
The atoning death of Jesus can truly avail for us. It was not some outsider to the human race who died on the cross. He was one of us, and thus could truly offer a sacrifice on our behalf. Just like the Old Testament priest, Jesus was a human who offered a sacrifice on behalf of his fellows.
Jesus can truly sympathize with and intercede for us. He has experienced all that we might undergo. When we are hungry, weary, lonely, he fully understands, for he has gone through it all himself (Heb. 4:15).
Jesus can truly sympathize with and intercede for us. He has experienced all that we might undergo. When we are hungry, weary, lonely, he fully understands, for he has gone through it all himself (Heb. 4:15).
Jesus manifests the true nature of humanity. While we are sometimes inclined to draw our conclusions as to what humanity is from an inductive examination of ourselves and those around us, these are but imperfect instances of humanity. Jesus has not only told us what perfect humanity is; he has exhibited it.
Jesus manifests the true nature of humanity. While we are sometimes inclined to draw our conclusions as to what humanity is from an inductive examination of ourselves and those around us, these are but imperfect instances of humanity. Jesus has not only told us what perfect humanity is; he has exhibited it.
Jesus can be our example. He is not some celestial superstar but one who has lived where we live. We can therefore look to him as a model of the Christian life. The biblical standards for human behavior, which seem to us to be so hard to attain, are seen in him to be within human possibility. Of course, there must be full dependence upon the grace of God. The fact that Jesus found it necessary to pray and depend upon the Father is indication that we must be similarly reliant upon him.
Jesus can be our example. He is not some celestial superstar but one who has lived where we live. We can therefore look to him as a model of the Christian life. The biblical standards for human behavior, which seem to us to be so hard to attain, are seen in him to be within human possibility. Of course, there must be full dependence upon the grace of God. The fact that Jesus found it necessary to pray and depend upon the Father is indication that we must be similarly reliant upon him.
Human nature was originally good. When we tend toward asceticism—regarding human nature, and particularly physical nature, as somehow inherently evil or at least inferior to the spiritual and immaterial—the fact that Jesus took upon himself our full human nature is a reminder that to be human was not evil; it was good.
Human nature was originally good. When we tend toward asceticism—regarding human nature, and particularly physical nature, as somehow inherently evil or at least inferior to the spiritual and immaterial—the fact that Jesus took upon himself our full human nature is a reminder that to be human was not evil; it was good.
With John we rejoice that the incarnation was real and complete: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
How does Jesus being fully human encourage us as believers?
How does Jesus being fully human encourage us as believers?
