No Longer A Baby - 4. Why did God become a human?

 

Jesus Christ - No longer a baby

4. Why Would God Become Human?

A natural question now follows. Why would God become human? God Himself has taken on the responsibility for our sins. Jesus when he died on the cross bore our sins. Although he was sinless, he therefore became sin for us. By doing this, we are drawn to him in a personal way. God has shown that he loves us and wants us in a relationship with himself.

God is one and therefore there could only be one incarnation - that is God taking on a human form – fully God and fully human. By doing away with the incarnation, could God’s salvation plan be fulfilled? No way! If Jesus was not fully God, then he would be part of the problem and therefore need to be redeemed himself! That would not work as there then would be no possibility of redeeming humanity so that they could have relationship and fellowship with God.

God Himself has bridged the gap between the supernatural and the natural, the infinite and the finite. God did this to show humanity what he is like. Jesus as God in person gives us a focal point to respond to.

God does not force people to love Him, for that would not be love. His love is compelling but it is not coercive. God does invite all into a dynamic relationship with him. Clarification can be seen through reading the Bible.

For example, Jesus, the Son of God came as a man to:

• humble Himself (Philippians 2:8)

• reveal God the Father (John 1:18, 14:9)

• become our advocate before God (1 John 2:1)

• destroy satan’s work (Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8)

• give an example of a perfect life (1 Peter 2:21)

• prepare for creation’s redemption (1 John 2:2)

We also know Jesus’ full glory was hidden during his time on earth (John 17:6) and that he lived on the resources of his Father (John 5:19-20 & 30, 14:10). Jesus emptied Himself (Philippians 2:5-7) and was made like us (Philippians 2:7) when he became human (John 1:4).

If Jesus Christ was not fully God and fully human, then he would be part of the problem. Therefore he would need to be redeemed himself! Simply put, that is untenable and unworkable! Jesus whilst being fully God, didn’t lose any of his divinity when he became human. Instead Jesus Christ gained humanity and we call this divine and human nature unity - a ‘hypostatic union‘.

Two Questions To Ponder:

1. Why would Jesus need to be have been simultaneously both fully God and fully human?

2. What does having a dynamic relationship with Jesus mean?

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