The Divine Mystery of Christ's Incarnation and Humanity
Summary
In our journey through the profound doctrines of the Bible, we have reached a pivotal point where we delve into the person and work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This exploration is essential as it forms the cornerstone of our faith and understanding of salvation. We have previously examined humanity's fallen state and the divine plan of redemption, which invariably points to Jesus Christ as the central figure. Today, we focus on the doctrine of His person, beginning with the Incarnation, which asserts that the eternal Son of God took on human flesh and entered our world.
The Incarnation is a mystery that reveals Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. The Bible provides extensive evidence of His divinity through divine names, attributes, and offices ascribed to Him. He is called the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, and the Lord of Glory, among others. His divine attributes include omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, and He holds divine offices such as Creator, Sustainer, and Judge. Moreover, the Bible couples His name with God the Father, ascribing divine worship to Him, and records His own claims to deity.
Simultaneously, the Scriptures affirm His humanity. He was born of a virgin, grew and developed like any human, and experienced physical limitations such as hunger, thirst, and fatigue. He was subject to temptation, yet without sin, and He prayed, demonstrating His reliance on God. His humanity is further evidenced by His death, a profound testament to His true human nature.
The dual nature of Christ—His divinity and humanity—presents a profound mystery. Yet, it is crucial for our understanding of His role as our mediator and Savior. As we continue to explore these truths, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the lengths to which He went to redeem us. Let us hold fast to these truths, allowing them to deepen our faith and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Incarnation as a Divine Mystery: The Incarnation reveals the profound mystery of Jesus Christ as both fully divine and fully human. This dual nature is essential for understanding His role as our Savior and mediator, bridging the gap between God and humanity. [01:31]
2. Evidence of Christ's Divinity: The Bible provides extensive evidence of Christ's divinity through divine names, attributes, and offices. These affirmations underscore His eternal nature and His role as Creator, Sustainer, and Judge, highlighting His unique position in the Godhead. [03:46]
3. Christ's Humanity and Its Significance: Jesus' humanity is evidenced by His birth, growth, and experiences of physical limitations. His genuine human nature allows Him to empathize with our weaknesses and serve as a perfect mediator between God and man. [23:51]
4. The Sinlessness of Christ: Despite being fully human, Jesus was without sin, a crucial aspect of His nature that qualifies Him as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His sinlessness is a testament to His divine nature and His unique role in God's redemptive plan. [37:06]
5. The Importance of Christ's Dual Nature: Understanding Jesus as both divine and human is vital for grasping the full scope of His work and mission. This dual nature enables Him to fulfill the roles of both Savior and Lord, offering us salvation and a model for living. [42:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Biblical Doctrines
- [00:26] - The Centrality of Christ in Salvation
- [01:00] - Exploring the Doctrine of Incarnation
- [01:31] - The Mystery of the Incarnation
- [02:22] - The Virgin Birth
- [03:29] - Evidence of Christ's Divinity
- [04:19] - Divine Names Ascribed to Christ
- [08:07] - Divine Attributes of Christ
- [11:48] - Divine Offices Held by Christ
- [14:22] - Old Testament References to Jehovah
- [16:17] - Coupling of Divine Names
- [17:37] - Worship Ascribed to Christ
- [19:25] - Christ's Self-Consciousness and Claims
- [23:51] - Evidence of Christ's Humanity
- [29:12] - Christ's Growth and Development
- [33:12] - Christ's Temptation and Sinlessness
- [40:01] - The Nature of Christ's Humanity
- [44:09] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:14 - "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."
2. Hebrews 4:15 - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
3. Philippians 2:6-7 - "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "Incarnation" mean, and how is it described in the sermon? [01:31]
2. How does the sermon describe the evidence of Christ's divinity through His divine names and attributes? [03:46]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate Jesus' humanity and His experiences of physical limitations? [23:51]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being without sin? [37:06]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the Incarnation as a divine mystery help us comprehend Jesus' role as our Savior and mediator? [01:31]
2. In what ways do the divine names and attributes ascribed to Jesus affirm His eternal nature and unique position in the Godhead? [03:46]
3. How does Jesus' humanity, as described in the sermon, enable Him to empathize with our weaknesses and serve as a perfect mediator? [23:51]
4. Why is Jesus' sinlessness crucial for His role in God's redemptive plan, and how does it relate to His divine nature? [37:06]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation. How does this understanding impact your personal faith and relationship with Jesus? [01:31]
2. Consider the divine attributes of Jesus. How can acknowledging His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence influence your daily life and decisions? [03:46]
3. Jesus experienced physical limitations and emotions. How does this knowledge affect your view of His empathy towards your struggles? [23:51]
4. In what ways can you strive to emulate Jesus' sinlessness in your own life, knowing that He serves as a model for living? [37:06]
5. How can the dual nature of Christ—being both divine and human—encourage you to bridge gaps in your own relationships, acting as a mediator or peacemaker? [42:58]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How does the understanding of Jesus' humanity and divinity reassure you of His constant presence and support? [09:23]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with temptation. How can Jesus' example of overcoming temptation without sinning guide you in overcoming your own challenges? [33:32]
Devotional
Day 1: The Incarnation: A Divine Mystery
The Incarnation is a profound mystery that reveals Jesus Christ as both fully divine and fully human. This dual nature is essential for understanding His role as our Savior and mediator, bridging the gap between God and humanity. The eternal Son of God took on human flesh, entering our world to fulfill the divine plan of redemption. This act of divine humility and love is central to the Christian faith, as it demonstrates God's willingness to become like us in order to save us. The Incarnation is not just a theological concept but a reality that impacts our daily lives, calling us to reflect on the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to redeem us. [01:31]
"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." (John 1:14, ESV)
Reflection: How does the mystery of the Incarnation challenge your understanding of God's love and presence in your life today?
Day 2: Evidence of Christ's Divinity
The Bible provides extensive evidence of Christ's divinity through divine names, attributes, and offices. These affirmations underscore His eternal nature and His role as Creator, Sustainer, and Judge, highlighting His unique position in the Godhead. Jesus is called the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, and the Lord of Glory, among others. His divine attributes include omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, and He holds divine offices that affirm His authority and power. Understanding these aspects of Christ's divinity helps us grasp the magnitude of His mission and the depth of His love for humanity. [03:46]
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and honor Christ's divinity in your daily worship and actions?
Day 3: Christ's Humanity and Its Significance
Jesus' humanity is evidenced by His birth, growth, and experiences of physical limitations. His genuine human nature allows Him to empathize with our weaknesses and serve as a perfect mediator between God and man. He was born of a virgin, grew and developed like any human, and experienced hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Despite these limitations, He remained sinless, demonstrating His reliance on God through prayer and obedience. This aspect of His nature is crucial for understanding His role as our Savior, as it enables Him to fully identify with our struggles and offer us grace and mercy. [23:51]
"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." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you draw strength from knowing that Jesus fully understands your human struggles and weaknesses?
Day 4: The Sinlessness of Christ
Despite being fully human, Jesus was without sin, a crucial aspect of His nature that qualifies Him as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His sinlessness is a testament to His divine nature and His unique role in God's redemptive plan. Jesus faced temptation but did not succumb, demonstrating His perfect obedience to the Father. This sinlessness is essential for our salvation, as it means that He could bear the weight of our sins on the cross, offering us forgiveness and new life. Understanding Christ's sinlessness encourages us to pursue holiness and rely on His strength in our own battles with sin. [37:06]
"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to follow Christ's example of sinlessness and obedience in your own life?
Day 5: The Importance of Christ's Dual Nature
Understanding Jesus as both divine and human is vital for grasping the full scope of His work and mission. This dual nature enables Him to fulfill the roles of both Savior and Lord, offering us salvation and a model for living. As fully divine, He has the authority and power to forgive sins and grant eternal life. As fully human, He provides an example of how to live in obedience to God. Embracing this truth deepens our faith and helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the significance of Christ's sacrifice. [42:58]
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding Christ's dual nature inspire you to live a life that reflects His love and sacrifice?
Quotes
The Incarnation is a mystery that reveals Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. The Bible provides extensive evidence of His divinity through divine names, attributes, and offices ascribed to Him. He is called the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, and the Lord of Glory, among others. [00:01:31]
The Bible ascribes and attributes to Him Divine attributes. You remember when we were dealing with the doctrine of God we were considering the Divine attributes. Well now you'll find that those very attributes are also ascribed to our Lord, for instance, omnipotence. [00:08:07]
Omnipresence is attributed to Him in Matthew 18:20. You will read this: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I." In Matthew 28:20, He says, "Lo, I Am With You Always, even unto the end." [00:09:23]
The Bible asserts His pre-existence. Colossians 1:17 tells us He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. In John 17:5, He prays that the Father will restore to Him the glory that He had with Him from the beginning. [00:10:46]
The Bible asserts His humanity. He was born of a virgin, grew and developed like any human, and experienced physical limitations such as hunger, thirst, and fatigue. He was subject to temptation, yet without sin, and He prayed, demonstrating His reliance on God. [00:23:51]
He was subject to growth and development like all of us. Luke 2:40: "And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." In the same chapter, Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." [00:29:12]
He was clearly here on Earth subject to certain limitations in His knowledge. Limitations of knowledge. Here's an instance in Mark 11:13, the incident of the barren fig tree. We are told that our Lord came to it expecting to receive fruit of it. [00:30:12]
He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. The holy scriptures say that He was tempted in all points like as we are. [00:33:12]
The need of prayer is an absolute proof of His true humanity. And then you can look at it like this, if you like, as the ninth proof, that He was clearly given power by the Holy Ghost. [00:35:12]
Though He was truly human, He was also sinless. He was without sin. Now, last week we saw that the angel already told Mary about this in Luke 1:35. He says, "The holy thing that shall be born of thee." [00:37:06]
The scriptures claim that He is truly human, but they never say that He was carnal. And this is the most important point because carnality is not an essential part of humanity. Adam, as he was created perfect at the beginning, was truly human, but he was not carnal. [00:39:12]
The fact that He was tempted proves that He was truly human, that His nature, His human nature, was truly human nature. So we assert about Him that He was subject to temptation but was at the same time sinless. [00:42:58]
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