Recognizing Jesus: The Challenge of His Dual Nature
Summary
In our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, we are reminded of the importance of understanding who Jesus truly is. As a church, we have committed to reading through the Bible systematically, allowing the scripture to set the agenda and guide us in our learning. This approach ensures that we confront the challenging parts of the Bible and collectively grow in our understanding of God's Word. Today, we delve into Matthew 13, where Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth after teaching profound parables about the kingdom of God. Despite his wisdom and mighty works, the people of Nazareth struggle to reconcile the ordinary man they knew with the extraordinary teacher before them.
This struggle highlights a common issue: failing to recognize the fullness of Jesus' identity. The people of Nazareth saw Jesus as the carpenter's son, familiar and ordinary, yet they could not accept his divine nature. This brings us to the concept of the hypostatic union, which asserts that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. His humanity allows him to empathize with our experiences, while his divinity demands our worship and obedience. This dual nature of Christ is not just a theological concept but a reality that requires a response from us.
The controversy surrounding Jesus' identity is not new. Throughout history, people have grappled with accepting Jesus as both God and man. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD addressed this very issue, affirming that anything less than recognizing Jesus' dual nature is to see him with lack. Today, some still struggle with this truth, but the scriptures are clear: Jesus claimed to be God, and his life and teachings support this claim.
Understanding Jesus as both fully human and fully divine challenges us to respond appropriately. If he is Lord, then he deserves our complete submission and trust. We must be willing to obey his commands, even when they are difficult, and trust him in all circumstances, even when we do not understand. This is the essence of true discipleship.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Jesus' dual nature is crucial. He is both fully human and fully divine, which allows him to empathize with our struggles and demands our worship. This understanding requires us to respond with obedience and trust. [16:00]
- The people of Nazareth struggled to accept Jesus' extraordinary nature because they were too familiar with his ordinary life. This serves as a reminder that familiarity can sometimes blind us to the divine work God is doing in our midst. [14:04]
- The hypostatic union, the belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, is a foundational truth of Christianity. It challenges us to see Jesus as he truly is and respond accordingly, without neutrality. [20:23]
- Jesus' teachings and life demonstrate his divine wisdom and flawless character, making it difficult to dismiss him as a lunatic or liar. This leaves us with the conclusion that he is indeed Lord, deserving of our full allegiance. [23:36]
- Our response to Jesus' lordship should be one of complete surrender and trust, even when we do not understand or agree with his ways. This is the essence of faith and discipleship. [29:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - Electrolux Marketing Blunder
[04:42] - Knowing Jesus
[05:36] - Jesus' Hometown Rejection
[06:26] - Jesus' Ordinary Life
[08:04] - The Synagogue Experience
[09:55] - Jesus' Education and Family
[12:33] - The Shame of Mary's Pregnancy
[14:04] - The Offense of Jesus' Authority
[16:00] - The Hypostatic Union
[17:15] - Jesus' Humanity
[20:23] - The Divinity of Christ
[21:28] - Jesus' Claims of Divinity
[22:42] - The Necessity of a Response
[23:36] - C.S. Lewis' Trilemma
[25:08] - The Cost of Following Christ
[28:25] - Questions for Reflection
[30:45] - Call to Trust and Baptism
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 13:53-58: Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
- John 14:9: Jesus' Claim of Divinity
- Colossians 2:9: The Fullness of Deity in Christ
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the people in Nazareth to Jesus' teachings and miracles, and why did they respond this way? [06:58]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of the hypostatic union, and why is it significant? [14:59]
3. What reasons did the people of Nazareth have for doubting Jesus' extraordinary nature? [09:55]
4. According to the sermon, what are the implications of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine? [22:42]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the familiarity of Jesus' hometown people with his ordinary life impact their ability to see his divine nature? [14:04]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of understanding Jesus' dual nature for true discipleship? [16:00]
3. How does the sermon use the Council of Nicaea to illustrate historical struggles with Jesus' identity? [20:23]
4. What does the sermon imply about the necessity of a personal response to Jesus' lordship? [26:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when familiarity with someone or something caused you to overlook its true value. How can this insight help you recognize the divine work in your life? [14:04]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for complete submission to Jesus if he is truly Lord. What areas of your life are you holding back from surrendering to him? [26:10]
3. How can understanding Jesus' ability to empathize with our struggles change the way you approach him in prayer during difficult times? [16:00]
4. The people of Nazareth struggled to accept Jesus' authority. Are there areas in your life where you resist Jesus' teachings because they challenge your comfort or beliefs? [14:04]
5. Consider the concept of the hypostatic union. How does this understanding of Jesus' nature influence your daily walk with him? [14:59]
6. The sermon challenges us to trust Jesus even when we don't understand his ways. What is one situation in your life where you need to practice this trust? [29:42]
7. How can you actively remind yourself of Jesus' divine nature in your daily routine to ensure that you respond to him with the worship and obedience he deserves? [22:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Dual Nature of Christ
Understanding Jesus' dual nature is essential for grasping the fullness of who He is. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, a truth that allows Him to empathize with our struggles while also demanding our worship and obedience. This concept, known as the hypostatic union, is not merely a theological idea but a reality that calls for a response from us. Recognizing Jesus as both God and man challenges us to live in obedience and trust, acknowledging His lordship in every aspect of our lives. The people of Nazareth struggled with this truth, seeing only the carpenter's son and missing the divine presence among them. We are called to see beyond the ordinary and recognize the extraordinary in Jesus. [16:00]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize Jesus' divine authority? How can you begin to submit those areas to His lordship today?
Day 2: Familiarity and Spiritual Blindness
The people of Nazareth were too familiar with Jesus' ordinary life to accept His extraordinary nature. This serves as a reminder that familiarity can sometimes blind us to the divine work God is doing in our midst. We often become so accustomed to the routine and the ordinary that we fail to see God's hand at work. This blindness can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of His presence and power. It is crucial to remain open and attentive to the ways God is moving, even in the most familiar settings. By doing so, we can avoid the mistake of the Nazarenes and embrace the divine work happening around us. [14:04]
Mark 6:4-6 (ESV): "And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.' And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where familiarity has caused you to overlook God's work? How can you cultivate a fresh perspective to see His presence anew?
Day 3: The Hypostatic Union
The hypostatic union, the belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, is a foundational truth of Christianity. This doctrine challenges us to see Jesus as He truly is and respond accordingly, without neutrality. Throughout history, people have grappled with accepting Jesus' dual nature, but the scriptures affirm this truth. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD addressed this issue, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Jesus' full identity. Today, we are called to embrace this truth and allow it to transform our understanding of who Jesus is and how we relate to Him. [20:23]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' dual nature impact your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of this truth?
Day 4: The Lordship of Christ
Jesus' teachings and life demonstrate His divine wisdom and flawless character, making it difficult to dismiss Him as a lunatic or liar. This leaves us with the conclusion that He is indeed Lord, deserving of our full allegiance. C.S. Lewis famously presented the trilemma: Jesus is either Lord, liar, or lunatic. The evidence of His life and teachings points to His lordship, calling us to respond with complete surrender and trust. This response is not just intellectual assent but a commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly, even when it is challenging. [23:36]
John 14:6-7 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Faith and Discipleship
Our response to Jesus' lordship should be one of complete surrender and trust, even when we do not understand or agree with His ways. This is the essence of faith and discipleship. True discipleship involves following Jesus' commands and trusting Him in all circumstances, even when it is difficult. It requires a willingness to let go of our own understanding and submit to His wisdom and guidance. As we grow in our faith, we learn to trust Jesus more deeply, knowing that He is faithful and His ways are higher than ours. [29:42]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are struggling to trust Jesus. How can you actively choose to trust Him in this situation today?
Quotes
1. "For many of us, we don't actually know who Jesus is. And so we fail to appropriately respond to him. Some of us in here can go, you know what? I know what Jesus has done. I know that he lived and he died on the cross and he rose three days later. And that's really good. We need to know what he has done. But the question before us today is, who is Jesus? Because it's out of his character and nature that he does everything. Jesus said it this way. I'm the good shepherd. What does the good shepherd do? Well, the good shepherd lays down. His life for his sheep, who he is dictates what he does." ([00:05:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "Jesus is ordinary, but he is also extraordinary. And what I mean by ordinary is Jesus. Jesus. Fully human. And yet he's extraordinary. ordinary. He is fully God as well. Let's talk about his ordinary nature. Again, we know that the Holy Spirit supernaturally placed Jesus in the womb of Mary. But think about this. He was born and birthed just like you and I was born and birthed. He came out of a womb. He cried as a baby. He had needs as a baby to change, to be fed. Then he grew up. He went through adolescence. He went through puberty." ([00:15:19] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "That's why the bible says he can sympathize with us as our high priest this is part of the unique facet of the christian faith no other world religion teaches this every other world religion god is in the skies in the clouds and far removed from us but in the christian faith god came down put on flesh and blood became fully man and experienced everything that we've experienced which is a great comfort to us especially right now if you're going through some difficulties and struggles you can lay the sorrows and the difficulties at the feet of jesus and guess what he go i understand i i went through that i experienced that no other world religion can make that claim jesus can fully understand and sympathize with what we're going through because again he was fully fully man and not just that i would say he is the full representation of what it means to be man he is a second and better adam what do i mean by that well if you want to know what it means to be truly alive and fully human look to christ all of us we bear the image of god but sin has cracked that broken that we we fail to perfectly mirror what it looks like to to his image to the rest of creation but jesus being fully fully human shows us in perfection what it means to be human" ([00:17:15] (90 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "We know what God is like. Why? Because Jesus showed us. We know what the love of God looks like, what the power of God looks like, what the holiness of God looks like. Why? Because Christ has shown all of that. That we believe Jesus, fully God, steps out of heaven from the throne and puts on flesh and blood. He is both fully God and fully man. This is what they rejected. They rejected and discarded. This is why they wanted to kill him. How dare you teach us like you're one in authority, like you are God himself." ([00:19:00] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "And here's where they came to agreement ultimately. And this was the precedence set. Is that anything less than seeing Jesus as fully God and fully man is to see him with lack. Essentially, that means you and I, whenever we don't understand his two natures, fully God, fully man, then we fail to see Jesus as he truly is. And since then, we've had other cults that have arisen and struggled with that. Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, they fail to see the divine nature of Christ. Yet, when you look at the scriptures, and we don't have time to go through everything, but I want you to see Jesus clearly claimed to be God." ([00:20:33] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "If he is fully man, but not fully God, it doesn't require a whole lot from us. But if he is fully man and fully God, it requires everything. C.S. Lewis puts it this way. If someone claims to be God, we have three options. The first is we can label this person as a lunatic. There have been people that have clearly been lunatics that have claimed to be God. Modern day examples, Jim Jones, David Koresh. Whack jobs. Claiming to be God." ([00:22:49] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "When you read the teachings, especially I think of the Sermon on the Mount, and you're like, oh, he is teaching us what the kingdom is like, what it means to be fully human, what life looks like as God intended it. I mean, we see the brilliance of Jesus. Now, some of the people that claim to be God, they were brilliant. And so there's this other side of character that they lack. See, these people that claim to be God, yes, they were brilliant, but they were also deranged. They lack the character. But what we see in Christ is a flawless character." ([00:23:50] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "Or last, if he's not a lunatic and he's not alive, then he must be Lord. And if he is Lord, then he deserves everything. He is worthy of our praise, of our worship, of our adoration, of our obedience. We sit underneath him. If we call him Lord, just by title means that we sit underneath him. And the Bible says he is actually Lord. Lord." ([00:26:07] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "There can be no neutrality when it comes to jesus i would submit to you if you've not trusted him you have really two options just reject him altogether or follow him with everything you have if you're an apathetic christian let me remind you if he is lord we cannot be apathetic if he is lord then we are submitting to him in every arena of life here's three questions i want you to consider and today's message is really more declarative declarative than i would say practical and what i mean by that is today i want you to search your heart of where you fall in regards to christ" ([00:28:08] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Are you willing to obey anything Christ says to do, whether you like it or not? The people of Nazareth did not like this. They did not like that this boy that they watched grow up and was in the synagogue and works with his hand. They did not like that he was teaching as one with authority. They did not want to receive it or accept it. So they rejected it. I have found that many people don't truly follow Christ because it's just not their preference to follow him. Completely and fully. But if he's Lord, then anything he says to do, whether I like it or not, I'm called to submit, to surrender." ([00:28:39] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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