Although He is "without beginning of days or ending of days," as God, "the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . . the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth" (Jn 1:14). Now something "was made flesh" and was "begotten of the Father"
but it was not the eternal and Divine nature of the Son of God!
Nevertheless, it is written, Jesus speaking to the Father, "a body hast thou prepared
me" (Heb 10:5). Still, the Holy Spirit is careful in His Divine inspiration of the
holy men chosen to put down the words of God on parchment, not to say God created
Christ or the Son of God was born in Bethlehem or any such statements.
The fleshly body in which the son of God lived on earth and walked among men for over
33-years was prepared by the Father and miraculously conceived in the womb of Mary by
the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:28-35). Note especially the words "that holy thing" which shall
be born of thee in verse 35. This is a reference to the flesh but not to the eternal
"Word of God" (Jn 1:1-2). As the second person of the Triune God, He had always been.
But now, a body was prepared by God and born into this world through the power of God
in order that "the Word" could indeed become "flesh" and dwell among men.
Observe how carefully the Scriptures deal with the twin subjects of the absolute
humanity and the absolute deity of Christ. Romans 1:3-4, "Concerning his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord . . . . was made of the seed of David according to the flehs; and
delcared to be the Son of God with power." While the flesh "was made" then conceived
and born, the eternal "Son of God" was never made, conceived or born! The deity was
merely "declared" since there was never a time when He was not!
Notice the truth of this in Isaiah 7:14, "A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and
shall call his name Immanuel" (God with us). Then in Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us (to
Israel) a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The
Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
While "a child" was born (speaking of the human body), "a son" was not. Rather, "a
son" was "given." God gave His Son to come to earth and indwell "that holy
thing"--"that child" born of Mary.
The Son is eternal and is the same source and essence which originated and created all
things. He was never born. Yet, that "tabernacle" or earthly house in which He lived
and walked on earth for 33-plus years was born, and then died and rose again.
Just how human was the experience of our Lord while on this earth? The humanity of
Jesus Christ is clearly and indisputably seen and proven by the following
considerations.
I. The fact human parentage is claimed for him:
A. The Word of Truth then points out initially that He was "made of a woman."
1. Galatians 4:4 states, "God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."
2. Matthew 1:18 adds, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his
mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Spirit."
3. Matthew 2:11 continues, "And when they (wise men) were come into the house, they
saw the young child with Mary his mother." No place is Joseph said to be his father.
4. Matthew 12:47 affirms, "Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring
to speak with thee." He had a mother, a step-dad, and half-brothers and sisters. In
spite of the error taught by Roman Catholicism, Mary gave birth to a number of sons
and daughters by Joseph after the birth of Jesus. She is not "the Queen of heaven" and
is not "the mother of God." She was the mother of a body prepared by God and in-which
Christ lived on earth for 33-plus years.
B. Next the Scriptures reveal He was "made of the seed of
David." Mary, being of the line and lineage of David, assured this. (See Romans 1:13
and also read Acts 13:22-23 and Luke 1:31-33)
II. The truth that His growth and development was natural:
A. Luke 2:40, "and the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and
the grace of God was upon him." Then in verse 46, "after three days they found him in
the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them
questions."
B. Verse 47 adds, "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and
answers." Finally verse 52 provides this summation. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and
stature, and in favour with God and man."
III. The observation of His personal appearance:
A. In John 4:9, the woman of Samaria instantly saw that He was "a Jew."
B. In John 21:4-5, "Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was
Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, "no."
C. In John 20:15, when He appeared to Mary after His resurrection, ". . . . she
supposed him to be the gardener." Thus the appearance of a man.
D. Then in John 19:5, "Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man."
E. Again in I Timothy 2:5, Paul writes "there is one God, and one mediator between god
and men, the man Christ Jesus."
IV. His possession of a human, physical nature, including body, soul and spirit:
A. His was a physical human body according to Matthew 26:12 because in this text a
woman literally poured ointment on His body.
B. He experienced all of the emotions of the human soul. Thus Matthew 26:38 records
His statement: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
C. He possessed a spirit that comprehended or understood. Luke 23:46, "When Jesus had
cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
V. He possessed real human limitations:
A. He was subject to bodily weariness. John 4:6 records, "Now Jacob's well was there.
Jesus, therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well."
B. He required sleep for the body. Matthew 8:24, "Behold, there arose a great tempest
in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep."
C. He knew the reality of hunger. Matthew 21:18, "Now in the morning as he returned
into the city, he hungered."
D. He also experienced thirst. John 19:28, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things
were no accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled saith, I thirst."
E. He endured physical pain and suffering. Luke 22:44, "And being in agony he prayed
more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground."
F. In the life of the body, He was capable of death. I Corinthians 15:3, " . . . .
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."
VI. His condescending humiliation enabled Him to subject Himself (in the flesh) to
intellectual limitations:
A. Luke 2:52 proved He "increased in wisdom and stature."
B. Mark 11:13 reveals He was (in the flesh) capable of gaining knowledge by observing.
C. Mark 13:32 declares that, while in the flesh, He could and did restrict His
knowledge. "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in
heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."
VII. Human names and occupations were assumed by Him:
A. "Jesus" (Mt 1:21). This name was common. It is the same as Joshua in the Old
Testament or in the Hebrew. The name means Saviour and no other deserved it as He.
B. "The Son of Man" (Lk 19:10). Not the son of "a man." Yet "Son of man" (that is,
born of a human) is used over 80 times in the four Gospels.
C. "Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 2:22). This name establishes the place of His residence
while growing into manhood.
D. "The Prophet" (Mt 21:11). "Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
E. "The Carpenter" (Mk 6:3). "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brtoher
of James, and Joses, and Juda and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" (So
indeed, Mary is not still "the virgin Mary) Tradition says Joseph died during Jesus'
youth and that Jesus carried on Joseph's trade and business until manhood and the
beginning of His public ministry.
In our next lesson, we will consider "The Deity of Jesus Christ." He was and is
absolutely God! JM
made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . . the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth" (Jn 1:14). Now something "was made flesh" and was "begotten of the Father"
but it was not the eternal and Divine nature of the Son of God!
Nevertheless, it is written, Jesus speaking to the Father, "a body hast thou prepared
me" (Heb 10:5). Still, the Holy Spirit is careful in His Divine inspiration of the
holy men chosen to put down the words of God on parchment, not to say God created
Christ or the Son of God was born in Bethlehem or any such statements.
The fleshly body in which the son of God lived on earth and walked among men for over
33-years was prepared by the Father and miraculously conceived in the womb of Mary by
the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:28-35). Note especially the words "that holy thing" which shall
be born of thee in verse 35. This is a reference to the flesh but not to the eternal
"Word of God" (Jn 1:1-2). As the second person of the Triune God, He had always been.
But now, a body was prepared by God and born into this world through the power of God
in order that "the Word" could indeed become "flesh" and dwell among men.
Observe how carefully the Scriptures deal with the twin subjects of the absolute
humanity and the absolute deity of Christ. Romans 1:3-4, "Concerning his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord . . . . was made of the seed of David according to the flehs; and
delcared to be the Son of God with power." While the flesh "was made" then conceived
and born, the eternal "Son of God" was never made, conceived or born! The deity was
merely "declared" since there was never a time when He was not!
Notice the truth of this in Isaiah 7:14, "A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and
shall call his name Immanuel" (God with us). Then in Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us (to
Israel) a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The
Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
While "a child" was born (speaking of the human body), "a son" was not. Rather, "a
son" was "given." God gave His Son to come to earth and indwell "that holy
thing"--"that child" born of Mary.
The Son is eternal and is the same source and essence which originated and created all
things. He was never born. Yet, that "tabernacle" or earthly house in which He lived
and walked on earth for 33-plus years was born, and then died and rose again.
Just how human was the experience of our Lord while on this earth? The humanity of
Jesus Christ is clearly and indisputably seen and proven by the following
considerations.
I. The fact human parentage is claimed for him:
A. The Word of Truth then points out initially that He was "made of a woman."
1. Galatians 4:4 states, "God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."
2. Matthew 1:18 adds, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his
mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Spirit."
3. Matthew 2:11 continues, "And when they (wise men) were come into the house, they
saw the young child with Mary his mother." No place is Joseph said to be his father.
4. Matthew 12:47 affirms, "Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring
to speak with thee." He had a mother, a step-dad, and half-brothers and sisters. In
spite of the error taught by Roman Catholicism, Mary gave birth to a number of sons
and daughters by Joseph after the birth of Jesus. She is not "the Queen of heaven" and
is not "the mother of God." She was the mother of a body prepared by God and in-which
Christ lived on earth for 33-plus years.
B. Next the Scriptures reveal He was "made of the seed of
David." Mary, being of the line and lineage of David, assured this. (See Romans 1:13
and also read Acts 13:22-23 and Luke 1:31-33)
II. The truth that His growth and development was natural:
A. Luke 2:40, "and the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and
the grace of God was upon him." Then in verse 46, "after three days they found him in
the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them
questions."
B. Verse 47 adds, "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and
answers." Finally verse 52 provides this summation. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and
stature, and in favour with God and man."
III. The observation of His personal appearance:
A. In John 4:9, the woman of Samaria instantly saw that He was "a Jew."
B. In John 21:4-5, "Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was
Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, "no."
C. In John 20:15, when He appeared to Mary after His resurrection, ". . . . she
supposed him to be the gardener." Thus the appearance of a man.
D. Then in John 19:5, "Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man."
E. Again in I Timothy 2:5, Paul writes "there is one God, and one mediator between god
and men, the man Christ Jesus."
IV. His possession of a human, physical nature, including body, soul and spirit:
A. His was a physical human body according to Matthew 26:12 because in this text a
woman literally poured ointment on His body.
B. He experienced all of the emotions of the human soul. Thus Matthew 26:38 records
His statement: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
C. He possessed a spirit that comprehended or understood. Luke 23:46, "When Jesus had
cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
V. He possessed real human limitations:
A. He was subject to bodily weariness. John 4:6 records, "Now Jacob's well was there.
Jesus, therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well."
B. He required sleep for the body. Matthew 8:24, "Behold, there arose a great tempest
in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep."
C. He knew the reality of hunger. Matthew 21:18, "Now in the morning as he returned
into the city, he hungered."
D. He also experienced thirst. John 19:28, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things
were no accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled saith, I thirst."
E. He endured physical pain and suffering. Luke 22:44, "And being in agony he prayed
more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground."
F. In the life of the body, He was capable of death. I Corinthians 15:3, " . . . .
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."
VI. His condescending humiliation enabled Him to subject Himself (in the flesh) to
intellectual limitations:
A. Luke 2:52 proved He "increased in wisdom and stature."
B. Mark 11:13 reveals He was (in the flesh) capable of gaining knowledge by observing.
C. Mark 13:32 declares that, while in the flesh, He could and did restrict His
knowledge. "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in
heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."
VII. Human names and occupations were assumed by Him:
A. "Jesus" (Mt 1:21). This name was common. It is the same as Joshua in the Old
Testament or in the Hebrew. The name means Saviour and no other deserved it as He.
B. "The Son of Man" (Lk 19:10). Not the son of "a man." Yet "Son of man" (that is,
born of a human) is used over 80 times in the four Gospels.
C. "Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 2:22). This name establishes the place of His residence
while growing into manhood.
D. "The Prophet" (Mt 21:11). "Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
E. "The Carpenter" (Mk 6:3). "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brtoher
of James, and Joses, and Juda and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" (So
indeed, Mary is not still "the virgin Mary) Tradition says Joseph died during Jesus'
youth and that Jesus carried on Joseph's trade and business until manhood and the
beginning of His public ministry.
In our next lesson, we will consider "The Deity of Jesus Christ." He was and is
absolutely God! JM
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