The Mystery and Majesty of the God-Man

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we delved into the profound question, "Why the God-Man?"—a question that opens up the sheer wonder of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This inquiry, rooted in the title of Anselm's seminal work "Cur Deus Homo," invites us to explore the necessity and significance of God becoming man. The letter to the Hebrews, particularly chapters 1 and 2, provides a rich exposition of this mystery, offering insights into the personal identity, incarnate mystery, and present ministry of Jesus Christ.

The personal identity of Jesus is foundational. Hebrews begins by affirming His deity, describing Him as the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature. He is superior to angels, the Creator, and Sustainer of the universe, and yet, for a time, He was made lower than the angels to fulfill His redemptive mission. This duality of Christ's nature—fully God and fully man—underscores the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice.

The incarnate mystery of the God-Man is equally profound. Jesus, though divine, took on human flesh, experiencing our frailties and suffering to make purification for our sins. This act was not merely to restore us to a pre-fall state but to fulfill what Adam failed to do, bringing us into a new creation. The incarnation is a staggering reality that should continually overwhelm us with its implications for our salvation and the restoration of all things.

Finally, the present ministry of Jesus as the God-Man is a source of immense comfort and hope. He remains our merciful and faithful high priest, able to help us in our temptations because He Himself has suffered and been tempted. His ongoing intercession and leadership in worship remind us that He is not only our Savior but also our eternal advocate and guide.

Key Takeaways:

- The Deity and Humanity of Christ: Jesus is both fully God and fully man, a truth that is foundational to understanding His work of redemption. His divine nature is affirmed throughout the New Testament, yet He took on human flesh to accomplish what no other could—our salvation. This dual nature is a mystery that should continually inspire awe and worship. [16:06]

- The Incarnation's Purpose: The incarnation was not just about addressing sin but restoring humanity to its intended purpose. Jesus came to undo Adam's failure and to fulfill God's original design for creation. This restoration is not merely a return to Eden but an elevation to a new creation in Christ. [39:07]

- Christ's Ongoing Ministry: Jesus' work did not end with His ascension. As our high priest, He continues to intercede for us, offering help in our temptations and leading us in worship. His eternal priesthood assures us of His constant presence and support in our spiritual journey. [52:25]

- The Weight of Sin and the Glory of Salvation: The gravity of sin required the ultimate sacrifice—the death of the God-Man. Understanding the weight of sin magnifies the glory of the gospel, revealing the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice. This realization should lead us to profound gratitude and worship. [01:02:27]

- The Future Hope in Christ: The culmination of Christ's work will be the restoration of all things, where He will present His redeemed people to the Father. This future hope encourages us to live in light of eternity, knowing that our present struggles are part of a larger divine narrative that ends in glory. [45:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Introduction and Scripture Reading
- [01:15] - The Greatness of Christ
- [02:30] - The Question of "Why the God-Man?"
- [05:33] - Anselm's Cur Deus Homo
- [07:14] - The Wonder of the Gospel
- [09:33] - Christ's Superiority Over Angels
- [11:08] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
- [13:35] - The Personal Identity of the God-Man
- [16:06] - The Deity of Christ
- [20:31] - The Radiance of God's Glory
- [23:39] - The Creator and Sustainer
- [30:00] - The Incarnate Mystery
- [39:07] - The Restoration of Creation
- [45:32] - The Future Hope in Christ
- [52:25] - The Present Ministry of the God-Man
- [59:56] - Christ as Our Worship Leader
- [01:02:27] - The Weight of Sin and the Glory of Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 1:1-4
- Hebrews 2:5-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Hebrews 1:1-4 reveal about the identity and nature of Jesus Christ? How is He described in relation to God and creation? [01:15]

2. In Hebrews 2:5-18, what reasons are given for Jesus being made "lower than the angels" for a time? What was the purpose of this? [02:58]

3. According to the sermon, how does the author of Hebrews use Old Testament passages to affirm the deity of Christ? [16:06]

4. What role does Jesus play as our high priest according to Hebrews 2:17-18, and how does this relate to His ability to help us in our temptations? [04:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the dual nature of Christ as both fully God and fully man impact our understanding of His work of redemption? Why is this duality significant? [30:57]

2. The sermon mentions that Jesus came not just to restore us to a pre-fall state but to fulfill what Adam failed to do. What does this mean for our understanding of salvation and new creation? [39:07]

3. In what ways does the present ministry of Jesus as our high priest provide comfort and hope for believers today? How does His ongoing intercession affect our daily lives? [52:25]

4. The sermon discusses the weight of sin and the glory of salvation. How does understanding the gravity of sin enhance our appreciation for the gospel? [01:02:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the dual nature of Christ. How does knowing that Jesus is both fully God and fully man influence your personal relationship with Him? [30:57]

2. The sermon emphasizes the purpose of the incarnation as restoring humanity to its intended purpose. How can you live in a way that reflects this restored purpose in your daily life? [39:07]

3. Jesus' ongoing ministry as our high priest means He intercedes for us. How can this truth encourage you in moments of temptation or struggle? What practical steps can you take to rely on His intercession? [52:25]

4. Understanding the weight of sin is crucial to appreciating the gospel. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of sin's gravity in your life, and how might this lead to greater gratitude and worship? [01:02:27]

5. The sermon speaks of a future hope in Christ where all things will be restored. How does this future hope shape the way you handle current challenges and struggles? [45:32]

6. Consider the role of Jesus as our worship leader. How can you actively participate in worship, knowing that Jesus leads us in praise? What changes might you make in your worship practices? [59:56]

7. The sermon highlights the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus. Identify one distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Him. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? [11:08]

Devotional

Day 1: The Dual Nature of Christ: A Divine Mystery
The dual nature of Christ as both fully God and fully man is a profound mystery that forms the foundation of Christian faith. This truth is not merely a theological concept but a reality that impacts our understanding of redemption. Jesus, as the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature, chose to become lower than the angels for a time to fulfill His redemptive mission. This act of divine humility underscores the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice. The mystery of Christ's dual nature should inspire awe and worship, as it reveals the lengths to which God went to secure our salvation. [16:06]

Hebrews 2:9-10 (ESV): "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering."

Reflection: In what ways does the dual nature of Christ challenge your understanding of God's love and sacrifice? How can this understanding deepen your worship today?


Day 2: The Incarnation: Restoring Humanity's Purpose
The incarnation of Jesus Christ was not solely about addressing sin but about restoring humanity to its intended purpose. Jesus came to undo Adam's failure and to fulfill God's original design for creation. This restoration is not merely a return to Eden but an elevation to a new creation in Christ. The incarnation is a staggering reality that should continually overwhelm us with its implications for our salvation and the restoration of all things. It invites us to live in the fullness of our identity as new creations in Christ, participating in His redemptive work in the world. [39:07]

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."

Reflection: How does the purpose of the incarnation influence your understanding of your identity in Christ? What steps can you take today to live more fully as a new creation?


Day 3: Christ's Ongoing Ministry: Our Eternal Advocate
Jesus' work did not end with His ascension. As our high priest, He continues to intercede for us, offering help in our temptations and leading us in worship. His eternal priesthood assures us of His constant presence and support in our spiritual journey. This ongoing ministry of Jesus as the God-Man is a source of immense comfort and hope. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that we have an eternal advocate who understands our weaknesses and intercedes on our behalf. [52:25]

Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Christ's intercession and support? How can you invite Him into those areas today?


Day 4: The Weight of Sin and the Glory of Salvation
The gravity of sin required the ultimate sacrifice—the death of the God-Man. Understanding the weight of sin magnifies the glory of the gospel, revealing the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice. This realization should lead us to profound gratitude and worship. The cross is a powerful reminder of the seriousness of sin and the incredible cost of our redemption. It calls us to live lives marked by repentance, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the salvation we have received. [01:02:27]

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV): "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."

Reflection: How does understanding the weight of your sin and the cost of your salvation impact your daily life? What changes can you make to live in greater gratitude and worship?


Day 5: The Future Hope in Christ: Living in Light of Eternity
The culmination of Christ's work will be the restoration of all things, where He will present His redeemed people to the Father. This future hope encourages us to live in light of eternity, knowing that our present struggles are part of a larger divine narrative that ends in glory. The promise of future restoration gives us perspective and strength to endure the challenges of this life, as we look forward to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. It calls us to live with purpose and hope, anchored in the assurance of Christ's ultimate victory. [45:32]

Revelation 21:4-5 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"

Reflection: How does the future hope of restoration influence your perspective on current struggles? What practical steps can you take to live with an eternal perspective today?

Quotes

The author goes on to cite a series of Old Testament passages to undergird the greatness of Christ and then issues one of his many words of exhortation. In fact, he thinks of this book as a short word of exhortation to God’s people, and then he continues in chapter 2, verse 5: For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. [00:01:57]

And so the author begins to mediate on this. He thinks about the way in which in relationship to God, He demonstrates the very attributes of deity. He is here at the beginning, the very radiance of God’s glory. God does not give His glory to another, but the Son is the very radiance of His glory. [00:20:45]

And then he says not only is He to be worshipped, but all things are to be His. Look at what he says in verse 2. He says this is the Son whom He appointed heir of all things. Do you ever think about that, my friends, that all of this is Christ’s? And this is what he is saying. [00:25:17]

And yet, of course, the truth is that we don’t see any of this by nature. Our minds are darkened in their folly, as Paul says. We have rejected Him. He came into the world unrecognized. He came to His own, who had a whole Bible to help them understand that He was Himself God, and they failed to recognize Him. [00:27:53]

You see here’s our problem. We are not amazed by the question, why the God-Man? We assume, of course, He would come. The gospel begins to amaze us when we learn who it is who has come. It’s staggering to the intellect. Indeed, I think one can say, if your intellect has never been staggered by the reality of the incarnation, you don’t know what incarnation means. [00:30:19]

And so this is what Jesus has to repair, which is why, of course, in the New Testament and not least here in the letter to the Hebrews, one of the great things that we see worked out is that the Son of God has come into the world, yes, to bear the divine judgment on all that Adam’s sin brought into the world in terms of alienation from and rebellion against God. [00:38:17]

But the vision of the author of Hebrews is that this is the one thing necessary in a vast vision. If I can put it this way, – I hope you won’t misunderstand me – the work of Jesus Christ to expiate our sins is a divine means to the divine end of restoring us and the world to God’s purposes. [00:39:23]

And so Hebrews is marvelously concerned in its description of the incarnate mystery of the God-Man to show us how the Lord Jesus comes as Paul puts it, as a second Man, and as a last Adam, because there is no other man who can do this. There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin. [00:40:31]

And this is why according to the author of Hebrews it is so vital that the Lord Jesus Christ should come from heaven in His infinite deity and take our humanity, in order that in that humanity He might do all necessary to bring us and the world back to God, when that day comes, when He will be seen crowned with honor and glory because of His suffering of death. [00:42:18]

And the letter to the Hebrews is so marvelous in helping us to understand that the Christ who stands at the right hand of the Father is still the God-Man and will be throughout all eternity. God assumes our humanity without diluting His deity, without mixing humanity into deity, or deity into humanity, but He has pledged Himself to remain forever the God-Man. [00:51:20]

Let me just say a word about the extremity of the temptation the Lord Jesus experienced, so that we may know that we never experience the depths of temptation the way He did, that we understand that in the Garden of Gethsemane particularly. R.C. was referring earlier on to Edwards’ great sermon on Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. [00:53:04]

You know there’s a very famous line in Anselm’s book, Cur Deus Homo. I’ll give it to you in English in case I stumble over the Latin at the end of the address. When Anselm’s sparring partner, a man, a fellow monk called Boso, keeps asking him fairly elementary and somewhat dim questions, and Anselm says to him, “Your problem Boso is you have not yet considered the greatness of the weight of sin.” [01:02:23]

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Transcript
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