Jesus Christ - Fully God and Fully Man

Introduction:

A few weeks ago, I had an enlightening discussion with two wonderful people—one of the Jewish faith and the other of the Muslim faith. We found common ground in our belief in God, but our views diverged significantly when it came to Jesus. The Jewish person believed that Jesus never went to the cross, while the Muslim person believed that Jesus was spared from suffering on the cross, with someone else taking his place. As a Christian, I shared my belief that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived, died, and rose again. The most crucial question that emerged was: How is Jesus both fully God and fully man?

 

The Triune Nature of God:

1. Genesis 1:1-3:

•In the beginning, God created time, space, and matter: “In the beginning” (time), “God created the heavens” (space), and “the earth” (matter).

•The triune nature of God is evident: God the Father (the will to create), God the Spirit (hovering over creation), and God the Word (speaking creation into existence).

•Genesis 1:3 says, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” This shows God’s will (Father), God’s Spirit, and God’s Word (Son) working together in creation.

2. Jeremiah 1:4-9:

•God tells Jeremiah, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” This emphasizes that God can place His words in human vessels.

•Similarly, in Exodus, God assures Moses, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

3. Colossians 2:9-10:

•“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

•This verse underscores that Jesus embodies the fullness of God in bodily form, affirming His divine nature and His role within the Godhead.

The Word Made Flesh:

1. John 1:1-3, 14:

•“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This signifies that Jesus (the Word) was with God from the beginning and is divine.

•“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This verse explains that God’s Word took on human form as Jesus Christ, showing His dual nature as fully God and fully man.

2. John 5:26:

•“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.” This indicates that Jesus, as the Word, has the same divine life as the Father.

The Sacrifice and Resurrection:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:21:

•“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus, the sinless one, took on the sins of humanity, fulfilling His role as the perfect sacrifice.

2. The Crucifixion:

•On the cross, Jesus (the Word made flesh) bore the sins of the world. Despite some interpretations, there was no separation within the Trinity. God cannot be divided; the spirit of Jesus remained divine while His flesh experienced death.

Conclusion:

Jesus, being fully God and fully man, bridges the gap between humanity and God. As the Word was made flesh, He lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again, offering us salvation. By understanding these foundational verses and the nature of Jesus Christ, we can better articulate our faith and share the gospel with others. I encourage you to delve into these scriptures, build your relationship with God, and let His Spirit guide you in your understanding. May you be blessed in your journey of faith.