Jesus is both God and Man
Day 19
by Gini Crawford, MSW
God took on flesh
What has always amazed me was not that Jesus is God, but that He was willing to take on flesh and blood to become one of us so He could die for us.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things ... Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might ... make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:14a, 17 ESV®
Let's do a little intellectual illustrating to try to understand what the God of the Universe had to give up by becoming man. I have this rubber ball that looks like the world. I can do whatever I desire with the ball such as crush it in my hand. God has much more power than that over us, our world and over the entire universe. His power, knowledge, wisdom and so on are so infinite compared to ours. He spoke the world and everything in it into existence. I can't even begin to comprehend how He could have created perfection, diversity, beauty and the science of everything that is so complex we still don't really understand a lot about it. God's creation is so awe-inspiring even with the effects of sin upon it. I guess what I am trying to stress (and not doing a very good job), is that God is so above us, yet He willingly stepped way, way down to our level out of love for us and become one of us.
I have heard people give the example that for God to become one of us would be like for us to become an ant. I can see where that is a sensible deduction, since God is so above us. Yet can any illustration really come near to what it was like for God to become man. I think you would agree that whatever example you use for God becoming human, the conclusion you have to come to is, that it was a huge sacrifice. Incredible reality if you really reflect upon it - that God became man for us.
Jesus willingly took on flesh and blood to die for you. Let His delight in you soak into the depths of your being, reassuring your soul. Although He sees your sins and flaws, His perfect love never wavers. Rely on Him. He will strengthen you to do His purposes. Find your utmost joy in Him. You are His eternal treasure.
Life Application
Jesus our suffering Servant
Paul, the author of Philippians, seemed to recognize what it meant for God to be in our likeness, and what a sacrifice it was for Him. Paul's insights are spelled out in Philippians 2:6-8. Remember God's Word is inspired by Him, so we could say, God is explaining to us what it meant for Him to become one of us in this passage (2 Peter 1:20-21). Speaking of Jesus it says,
... 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. Philippians 2:6-8 ESV®
I have broken up the above passage into three phrases so it will be easier to understand:
In Philippians 2:6 the phrase though he was in the form of God - the Greek word form (morphe) refers to the outward expression which a person gives of his inmost nature. In other words, form means that Jesus had God's nature and character (John 14:7–11).
In Philippians 2:7 the phrase but emptied Himself - the Greek word emptied (keno) means to empty oneself, to divest oneself of rightful dignity by descending to an inferior condition, to humiliate oneself.
In Philippians 2:7-8a the phrase by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form - means when Jesus took on the new inmost nature of a man at His incarnation, His outward expression as a man was that of a servant.
As you noticed Paul uses the word "form" twice in this passage. When I first read this passage years ago, I thought this was odd. Now understanding the Greek I understand. Paul wanted us to realize Jesus had two natures or forms after His incarnation, that of absolute deity and absolute humanity. After His resurrection, He laid aside His form as a suffering servant, but He still remains fully God and fully Man for the rest of eternity.
This passage has the undeniable truth of what Jesus sacrificed for us: Jesus willingly emptied Himself of His self-interests and rights, but not His deity, and descended to an inferior condition when He became a man. He let go of His outward glory as God. When we reflect on Who Jesus is, and that the hosts in heaven instantaneously fall down and worship Him, I think we can get a glimpse of how much He gave up to save us (Revelation 5:6-14). Who would imagine the Creator, the Sovereign King of the universe, would sacrifice so much because of love. Read Philippians 2:1-8. Are you willing to love and serve the God Who loves and serves you?
Jesus becoming man allowed Him to yes, be our substitute but besides it permitted Him to personally relate to us. That's what I would call, unconditional love. Read Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15-16. Consider what Jesus sacrificed to connect with you, allowing Him to understand your needs and relate to you. Do you feel loved by Jesus?
Five years old Faith attended a Bible Club in Africa. On the first day, the children were taught about Jesus being God and becoming a man, to die on a cross for their sins. After the club little Faith headed home singing about what Jesus did for her. Do you feel like singing and praising Jesus for giving up so much for you?
Reflect on Philippians 2:6-8.