The Incarnation: God's Divine Intervention for Humanity

 

Summary

The focus of today's reflection is on the profound mystery and significance of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, as highlighted in the epistle to the Hebrews. This passage reminds us that Jesus, though divine, took on human nature to fulfill God's plan of salvation. The Incarnation is not merely a historical event but a pivotal moment that underscores the essence of Christianity: God becoming man to redeem humanity. This act of divine humility and love is central to our faith, emphasizing that salvation is not just a philosophical concept or a set of teachings but a divine intervention in history.

The danger of forgetting the person of Jesus Christ is ever-present, as the devil seeks to distract us from the core of our faith. Christianity is not just about moral teachings or spiritual experiences; it is about the person of Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man. The Incarnation is a reminder that our faith is rooted in historical events and divine actions, not abstract ideas.

The epistle to the Hebrews addresses the struggles of early Christians who faced persecution and doubt. Their primary issue was uncertainty about the person of Jesus Christ. This uncertainty led to fear and hesitation, causing some to consider returning to their old ways. The epistle aims to reaffirm the preeminence and glory of Christ, emphasizing that any deviation from the truth about His person leads to the loss of salvation.

The Incarnation is a voluntary act of love by Jesus, who, though equal with God, chose to humble Himself and take on human nature. This was necessary for Him to be the captain of our salvation, to die for our sins, and to conquer death and the devil. By becoming man, Jesus also became a merciful and faithful high priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses and intercede on our behalf.

As we reflect on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the new nature we receive through Christ. He offers us a new humanity, enabling us to become children of God. This Christmas, let us meditate on the wonder and glory of the Incarnation, recognizing the love and compassion that led Jesus to endure all for our sake.

Key Takeaways:

- The Incarnation is central to Christianity, emphasizing that salvation is a divine intervention in history, not just a philosophical concept. It reminds us that Jesus, fully God and fully man, is the foundation of our faith. [05:09]

- The danger of forgetting Jesus is real, as the devil seeks to distract us from the core of our faith. Christianity is about the person of Jesus Christ, not just moral teachings or spiritual experiences. [03:26]

- The Incarnation was a voluntary act of love by Jesus, who chose to humble Himself and take on human nature. This was necessary for Him to be the captain of our salvation and to conquer death and the devil. [19:34]

- By becoming man, Jesus became a merciful and faithful high priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses and intercede on our behalf. He understands our struggles and is with us in our trials. [34:23]

- Through the Incarnation, Jesus offers us a new humanity, enabling us to become children of God. This Christmas, let us meditate on the wonder and glory of the Incarnation, recognizing the love and compassion that led Jesus to endure all for our sake. [36:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Hebrews 2:14
- [00:44] - The Significance of Jesus' Suffering
- [01:18] - Jesus' Humanity and Divinity
- [02:11] - The Importance of Remembering Christ
- [03:39] - The Centrality of Jesus in Christianity
- [05:09] - Salvation as God's Activity
- [06:42] - The Preeminence of Christ
- [08:07] - Heresies About Jesus' Nature
- [10:14] - The Meaning of the Incarnation
- [12:30] - Partaking vs. Taking Part
- [15:13] - Jesus' Eternal Nature
- [19:34] - Voluntary Humiliation of Christ
- [26:31] - Jesus' True Humanity
- [32:55] - Jesus as Our High Priest
- [36:23] - New Humanity Through Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 2:10-18

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 2:14, what was the purpose of Jesus taking on flesh and blood? How does this relate to the power of death and the devil? [00:27]
2. What does the sermon say about the danger of forgetting the person of Jesus Christ? How does this relate to the devil's attempts to distract us? [03:08]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between Jesus partaking in human nature and humans being partakers of flesh and blood? [12:52]
4. What role does Jesus' humanity play in His ability to be a merciful and faithful high priest, according to the sermon? [33:17]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Incarnation serve as a reminder that Christianity is rooted in historical events and divine actions, rather than abstract ideas? [05:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the early Christians' uncertainty about Jesus' person led to fear and hesitation? How might this apply to modern believers? [06:11]
3. What does the sermon imply about the significance of Jesus' voluntary act of taking on human nature? How does this reflect His love and humility? [19:34]
4. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Jesus becoming human to conquer death and the devil? What implications does this have for our understanding of salvation? [30:58]

#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasizes the danger of forgetting Jesus amidst distractions. What are some specific distractions in your life that might be pulling your focus away from Jesus? How can you address these distractions this week? [03:08]
2. Reflect on the idea that Jesus' Incarnation is a divine intervention in history. How does this perspective change the way you view your own faith journey? [05:09]
3. The sermon highlights Jesus' role as a merciful and faithful high priest who understands our struggles. How can you lean on this truth in your current challenges or trials? [34:23]
4. Consider the new humanity that Jesus offers through the Incarnation. What steps can you take to embrace this new identity as a child of God in your daily life? [36:23]
5. The sermon discusses the voluntary nature of Jesus' humility and love. How can you model this humility and love in your interactions with others this week? [19:34]
6. How does understanding the historical and divine nature of the Incarnation impact your approach to sharing your faith with others? [05:09]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of remembering the person of Jesus Christ. What practical ways can you incorporate this remembrance into your daily routine? [03:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Incarnation as Divine Intervention
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery that signifies God's direct intervention in human history. It is not merely a philosophical concept but a divine act where God became man to redeem humanity. This event is central to Christianity, emphasizing that salvation is not an abstract idea but a historical reality rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man. The Incarnation underscores the essence of our faith, reminding us that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of our salvation. [05:09]

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV): "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

Reflection: How does understanding the Incarnation as a historical event change the way you view your faith and salvation today?


Day 2: The Danger of Distraction from Christ
In our spiritual journey, the danger of forgetting the person of Jesus Christ is ever-present. The devil seeks to distract us from the core of our faith, which is not just about moral teachings or spiritual experiences but about the person of Jesus Christ. Christianity is centered on Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man. The Incarnation serves as a reminder that our faith is rooted in historical events and divine actions, not abstract ideas. It calls us to focus on Jesus, who is the foundation of our salvation. [03:26]

Colossians 2:8-9 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."

Reflection: What distractions in your life are pulling you away from focusing on Jesus? How can you refocus your attention on Him today?


Day 3: Voluntary Humiliation of Christ
The Incarnation was a voluntary act of love by Jesus, who chose to humble Himself and take on human nature. This was necessary for Him to be the captain of our salvation, to die for our sins, and to conquer death and the devil. Jesus' humility and love are central to our faith, reminding us that He willingly endured suffering and death for our sake. His voluntary humiliation is a powerful example of divine love and sacrifice, calling us to reflect on the depth of His commitment to our salvation. [19:34]

Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways can you emulate Christ's humility and love in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: Jesus as Our High Priest
By becoming man, Jesus became a merciful and faithful high priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses and intercede on our behalf. He understands our struggles and is with us in our trials, offering us comfort and guidance. As our high priest, Jesus bridges the gap between humanity and God, providing us with access to divine grace and mercy. His role as high priest is a source of strength and encouragement, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. [34:23]

Hebrews 4:15-16 (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. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: How can you draw near to Jesus, your high priest, in times of struggle and seek His guidance and comfort?


Day 5: New Humanity Through Christ
Through the Incarnation, Jesus offers us a new humanity, enabling us to become children of God. This transformation is a gift of grace, inviting us to embrace our identity as God's beloved children. As we reflect on the wonder and glory of the Incarnation, we are reminded of the love and compassion that led Jesus to endure all for our sake. This Christmas, let us meditate on the Incarnation and the new life it offers, recognizing the profound impact of Jesus' love on our lives. [36:23]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to live as a new creation in Christ? How can you embrace this new identity in your daily life?

Quotes

"Now perhaps the greatest danger that confronts everybody those who were Christian as well as those who lay no claim to be Christian the greatest danger of all it's almost incredible but it's true is the danger of forgetting him the devil undoubtedly is very concerned that we should do this he would turn Christianity into a philosophy into some sort of teaching or into some general atmosphere or Spirit anything to take away attention from the Son of God himself and all that is represented to us by this particular day." [00:02:47]

"Salvation is the result of God's activity something God himself has done and the moment we lose contact with the historic events we really have lost the Salvation all together now any doubt of uncertainty concerning this person therefore is quite fatal and that is why we must ever be recurring to this particular matter now this great epistle to the Hebrews deals in a sense with nothing but just that." [00:05:15]

"Here were a number of people these Hebrew Christians and they were unhappy there were many causes for their unhappiness they were being persecuted because they were Christians and they had suffered losses and many other things but that wasn't their real trouble the central cause of their trouble was that they had developed an uncertainty about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and because of that they had become fearful hesitant doubtful some of them were looking back at their old religion wondering whether they shouldn't return to it." [00:05:48]

"Well now it's very important that we should be clear about these things and uh here is an occasion and an opportunity when we can consider that there is no meaning in Christmas if we're not clear about this person this is not just a season of good will this is not the sort of thing that the world is trying to work up it's got nothing to do with it Christmas is about Christ this human person this living historical person that we are reading about in our gospels." [00:09:00]

"Now if we're not clear about him all the rest is just vain Talk and of course we know it's vain talk it never comes to anything any year it's the thing to do for a day or two and then it's past and it's all over well all right from the worldly standpoint I'm not disposed to criticize that it's good in a terrible world like this to have some kind of relief occasionally but my point is it isn't Christianity Christianity is Christ this person." [00:09:41]

"Now what does that tell us well the first thing it tells us is this that we all as human beings are partakers of flesh and blood now that's a description of human nature Flesh and Blood stands for human nature that is what we are by Nature flesh and blood or blood and flesh doesn't matter what order you put them in and you notice it says that we are all partakers of this which means that we are all sharers in this in other words every babe that is born into this world is one who is sharing this common human nature this Flesh and Blood." [00:10:54]

"Now you see the significance of obser in carefully what the scripture tells us he's not a partaker in flesh and blood but blessed be his name he has taken part of Flesh and Blood he has laid hold on human nature he has added it to himself now this man repeats the same thing in the 16th verse for verily he says he took not on him the nature of Angel but he took on him the Seed of Abraham that should be translated he stretched out a helping hand but it also carries this other meaning he didn't become an angel he didn't take on to his deity the Angelic nature no he was made a little lower than the angels." [00:20:22]

"Well now there is the meaning of the Incarnation let me just put one other General principle you why did he do all this that's what he did that's what happened in Bethlehem that's the meaning of the birth of that bay but why did he do it let me give you some headings he did it we are told here because it was absolutely essential essential to what well first and foremost that he might be the captain of our Salvation it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering." [00:28:54]

"Now this is a very vital matter isn't it why did he take on human nature the answer is because God cannot die God cannot die God is eternal from Everlasting to Everlasting God cannot die he had to become human in order that he might die but why must he die he must die for two main reasons one to save us from the condemnation of the law the law says he that the soul that sinth it shall die the wages of sin is death one man sin Adam brought in death by the sin of one man death Came Upon all the punishment of sin is death and if he is to Deliver Us from that punishment he must die and in order to die he's got to become human he's got to be a man he cannot die as God he takes unto him human nature." [00:31:25]

"It is that he might be for us a merciful and a faithful high priest in things pertaining to God in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to sucker them that are tempted what does it mean it means this he is there as our representative in the presence of God our interest are in his hands he is Our Redeemer ah but you say he was God and there he is in the glory at the right hand of God's glory and power and we are on earth and weak and frail and fible my dear friend if you remember nothing else of this morning remember this he knows all about it he was in this world and not in a Phantom body but in a human body like yours and mine." [00:32:58]

"Lastly he took on human nature unto himself that he might give it us as a new nature what we need is a new nature we don't need to be improved that's not enough we need to be born again we need a new nature we need a human a new human nature and he gives it us his own nature this nature that he joined to himself he gives to us we become partakers of the divine nature the Son of God as John Kelvin put it became the son of men that we the sinful sons of men might become sons of God he had to come if he hadn't done that we'd never have a new nature we could never be born again." [00:36:12]

"May I plead with you to meditate about it this day to apply your minds to The Wonder of it all to the glory of it all to the Love The Compassion the sympathy the understanding that he should have done all this and endure all he did that you and I might not only be forgiven and redeemed but that we might become the children of God and while we are left in this world he's with us he knows us he understands everything he is a merciful and faithful and sympathetic high priest." [00:38:05]

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Transcript
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