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THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST
Winifred Kirkland once spoke of the fact that we often miss knowing
Christ because of His familiarity. We think we know all there is to know
of Him so we don't consider him as we ought.
"In talking about Jesus Christ our Lord many fundamentalists seem to
lift Him to super human plateaus where we see only a dim and hazy image,
while in reality the Scriptures depict Him as a patient, loving, and enduring
figure to be held as a pattern for our Christian lives.
"In many places throughout the Gospels we see Christ as a very patient
person. His disciples were constantly giving Him reason to despair, yet
He always explained and re-explained each thing until it was clear in their
minds. The Pharisees were often trying to lead Christ into a corner where
they would have surely pounced upon Him, yet He always was in control.
The high point of the patience portrayed by the Son of Man was at His trial.
People were beating Him, mocking Him, and spitting on Him, yet never once
did He lose His temper.
"The love this man poured out upon the nations of the earth was immeasurable,
and not universally accepted. He gave His life on the cross as the payment
for all mankind's sin, yet not all have returned His love, and as a result
many will spend eternity without that love.
"Christ's physical endurance amazes many people. This man was up very
early in the morning praying, spent all day with the crowds about Him,
teaching and healing, and continued His work into the night. Many today
think they've done a big day's work if they put in eight hours. The type
of life that Christ submitted Himself to requires a real commitment to
the job to be done.
"The total of just these three brief points, His patience, His love,
and His commitment, show that Jesus Christ was truly a great and dynamic
human being, which in no way detracts from the fact that He was God walking
among us." 1
Why is it important for Christ to be Human? Since we have seen that
He was Deity what difference does humanity make? As Almighty God He was
able to care for the sin of the world. He was able to do all that man could
not. He satisfied God's requirements for atonement. What difference does
His humanity make?
1. He can't be our example if He is God only. God, an infinite being
cannot really set a followable example for finite man. We would be incapable
of following that example.
2. He could not pay for man's sin if he were not locked into humanity
in some manner. The requirement is for man to die. If Christ was to take
upon Himself the penalty he must be man.
3. He could not defeat the devil evidently without this step according
to Heb. 2:14.
THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST DECLARED
I. HE HAD A HUMAN BIRTH
He was born of a woman. He was born of Mary according to the Gospels
and Gal. 4:4. He was born of a virgin as well. We will cover this in more
detail in the incarnation. (Matt. 1:18-2:12, Lu. 1:30-38; 2:1-20) Evans
has a paragraph that would be good for consideration if there is any doubt
in the mind as to the validity of the virgin birth. See footnote 4.
II. HE HAD HUMAN TERMS APPLIED TO HIM
He was called the Son of David: Matt. 1:1, Matt. 12:23, Matt. 15:22.
To be a true son of David, He would have to have been of the seed of David,
and human.
He was called the Son of Abraham: Matt. 1:1. The same applies here as
in the previous comment.
He was born of the seed of David: Rom. 1:3. This passage adds proof
to the previous two points. The thought of seed indicates a physical relationship.
He was a Descendent of Adam: Lu. 3:23-38 shows the genealogy tracing
back to Adam. This is another proof of the physical, human aspect of Christ's
nature.
This fulfilled a promise to: Eve, Gen. 3:15 and Ahaz, Isa. 7:14. Again
this strong physical, human link to man is seen.
Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua: He had a human name
as well as physical descendency.
He was called a Carpenter: Mk. 6:3 Along with his human name, descendency
we see that He was involved in a physical occupation, that of a carpenter.
If only God why would He need to subject Himself to such things. Indeed,
if only God, why go through the process of birth, growing, learning, and
the other mundane things of human life?
He was called a man: I Tim. 2:5 The apostle Paul was quite in error
if this Jesus were only God.
He was flesh and blood: Heb. 2:14 To be flesh and blood, is to be human.
We have no other creature on earth that has flesh and blood that are not
animal or human. With all of the characteristics of a human, then He must
have been human.
III. HE HAD HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
He was one of the early home schoolers: Lu. 2:40, "And the child grew,
and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was
upon him."
He matured as other humans mature: Lu. 2:52, "And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
He was taught but probably not in schools: There is a possibility that
he had some teaching in the synagogue. Lu. 4:16 shows that he could read
in the synagogue. Jn. 7:15 mentions that the Jews marveled at his knowledge.
He visited the temple: Lu. 2:41,46,47 tells us that he visited in a
big way and shocked a few teachers.
He knew the Scriptures: Lu. 4:17 tells us that he had a working knowledge
of the Scriptures. Enough of a knowledge to find a certain passage in Isa.
"And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet, Isaiah. And
when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,"
Matt. 4:4 and the context are the testing in the wilderness and it shows
that he had a good understanding of the Scripture.
His knowledge of the Scriptures may well have come from a combination
of three things, His teaching from His parents, His own personal study
and His communion with the Heavenly Father.
IIII. HE HAD ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF HUMAN NATURE
He had a human body: Heb. 10:5 mentions his body. Heb. 10:10 tells us
that we are sanctified by the offering of His body. "By which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Matt. 26:12 tells of Jesus body being anointed. Jn 2:21, "But he spoke
of the temple of his body." Heb. 2:14 mentions he had flesh and blood.
He had a human body after the resurrection: His body was human, even
though it was glorified. Lu. 24:39, "Behold my hands and my feet, that
it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones,
as ye see me have.
He had a soul: Matt. 26:38 Indeed it sorrowed. Jn. 12:27, Act. 2:27,31.
He had a spirit: Mk. 2:8, "And immediately, when Jesus perceived in
his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them,
why reason ye these things in your hearts." Mk. 8:12, Lu. 23:46, Jn. 13:21.
Since it has been shown that He had a human body, a human soul, and
a human spirit, then He must have been human.
V. HE HAD THE INFIRMITIES OF THE HUMAN BODY
He became tired: Jn. 4:6, "Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore,
being wearied with his journey, sat by the well; and it was about the sixth
hour." He became tired and weary, just as we.
He became hungry: Matt. 4:2, "And when he had fasted forty days and
forty nights, he was afterward hungry." (Also Matt. 21:18)
He became thirsty: Jn. 19:28, "After this Jesus, knowing that all things
were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I
thirst."
He slept: Matt. 8:24, "And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the
sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves; but he was asleep."
He was tempted: Heb. 2:18, "For in that he himself hath suffered being
tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted." Heb. 4:15.
He was limited in knowledge: Mk. 13:32, "But of that day and that hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels who are in heaven, neither the Son,
but the Father." Mk. 11:13 tells of Him approaching a fig tree with leaves
to see if there was fruit on it. Mk. 5:30-34 mentions the woman that touched
his garment. He asked who touched his clothes. Some might suggest that
this was a rhetorical question or that he wanted her to identify herself
and that He really knew who it was. Jn. 11:34 relates that Christ asked
where they had laid Lazarus when He came to raise him. "And said, Where
have ye laid him...."
Since all of these be human traits, it seems very logical to assume
that He too was human.
VI. HE WAS KNOWN AS A MAN
He was called a man by Himself: Jn. 8:40, "But now ye seek to kill me,
a man that hath told you the truth...." If He were less than a man, then
He is a liar.
He was called a man by John The Baptist: Jn. 1:30, "This is he of whom
I said, After me cometh a man who is preferred before me; for he was before
me." John was related to Him, indeed, possibly grew up playing with Him.
Surely He would know if He were human or not.
He was called a man by Peter: Acts 2:22, "Ye men of Israel, hear these
words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and
wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves
also know;"
He was called a man by Paul: Acts 13:38, "Be it known unto you, therefore,
men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness
of sins;" I Cor. 15:21, I Cor. 15:47, Phil. 2:8.
He was known as a man: Jn. 7:27, "Nevertheless, we know this man...."
Jn. 10:33.
He was known as a Jew: Jn. 4:9, "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto
him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a woman
of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans."
He was thought to be older than He was: Jn. 8:57 (around 30 at this
time.) "Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old,
and hast thou seen Abraham?
He was accused of blasphemy for calling Himself other than man: Jn.
10:33, "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not,
but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
If the Jews did this they were assured in their own minds that He was a
man.
He had the appearance of a man post-resurrection: Jn. 20:15 relates
that Mary took Him for a gardener. Jn. 21:4,5 tells that the disciples
didn't know who He was when He was standing on the shore.
He appeared in human form in glory: I Tim. 2:5, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus,"
He will come in the same form: Matt. 16:27,28; 25:31 mentions his coming
again, and Acts 1:10-11 mentions that He will come as He went. The disciples
saw him go in bodily form.
He appeared in his bodily form in power: Matt. 26:64,65, "...Hereafter
shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming
in the clouds of heaven."
He will judge the world as a man: Acts. 17:31, "Because he hath appointed
a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom
he hath ordained; concerning which he hath given assurance unto all men,
in that he hath raised him from the dead."
If He were not a man, then He was one of the great tricksters of all
time. He fooled people from, close friends to acquaintances, from uneducated
to highly educated, and from low class to high class. Such an accomplishment,
if He were not human, was nothing short of trickery and falsehood.
VII. HE DISPLAYED THE EMOTIONS OF A HUMAN
I will list some references and the emotion/emotions that are mentioned.
Matt. 26:36-44 tells of His being depressed, His sorrow, His weakness
of the flesh, and most likely disappointment in his disciples.
Mk. 3:5, "And when he had looked round about on them with anger...."
(He is angry with the jews because they were waiting to see if He would
heal on the Sabbath.)
Lu. 10:21 tells us that He "rejoiced in the Spirit".
Lu. 22:44, "And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly...." (This
is the agony in the garden.)
Jn. 11:35, "Jesus wept."
Jn. 12:27 tells us that His soul was troubled.
Jn. 13:21 - troubled in spirit.
Jn. 13:23 - loved.
VIII. HE NEEDED SPIRITUAL HELP
He prayed: Mk. 1:35, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before
day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Lk. 22:44, "And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly...."
The thought of needing help gives added meaning to the disciples going
to sleep in the garden just before His arrest. How saddened He must have
been when His best friends would not pray with or for him.
I have a number of times been in prayer meetings and asked for prayer
for a real burden. The real burden usually came when no one prayed for
my request. I wonder at times when a pastor asks for requests in a worship
service, and people respond with real needs and hear him pray briefly for,
"these requests of your people." Yes, God hears and He will probably answer,
but there must be some disappointment.
He was empowered by the Holy Spirit: Acts. 10:38, "How God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit, and with power; who went about
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was
with him." If Christ needed to be empowered then surely He must have been
human.
IX. HE NEEDED TO BE A MAN
There is seldom reference to any need of His humanity, but it was a
necessary requirement within God's overall plan. Paul mentions in I Corinthians
15:20-23. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits
of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward
they that are Christ's at his coming."
Not only does this text declare Christ's humanity, but it points out
the need of that humanity.
Without humanity, Christ could not provide the perfect life to sacrifice.
Without humanity, Christ could not provide the sacrificial death on the
cross. Without humanity, Christ could not provide the resurrection of the
saints.
As man fell by representation in Adam, so man had to be represented
by man in the plan of redemption.
It would seem that His humanity is of great necessity!
APPLICATION:
1. While teaching at a Bible Institute, we had a couple of days when
high schoolers were invited on campus to encourage them to consider the
school in their future plans. Friday after the event was winding down I
had already wound down and was ready for crashing. I knew that this lesson
had to be ready before Friday was over. I finally went back to the office
and started. I came up with a dozen plans for not doing it so I could go
crash. I forged on ahead step by step until I was at this point in the
lesson.
I was very encouraged by the verses that told of what Christ did during
His walk here on earth as man. He was tired and was up early etc. I could
really relate to what I was reading and typing. I was encouraged to know
that He kept going even when He was tired. IT ENCOURAGED ME GREATLY! He
indeed, should be our encouragement to go on when we are ready for a crash
time!
"MAKE JESUS KING!
"When Queen Victoria had just ascended her throne she went, as is the
custom of royalty, to hear The Messiah rendered. She had been instructed
as to her conduct by those who knew and was told that she must not rise
when the others stood at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. When that
magnificent chorus was being sung and the singers were shouting, 'Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,' she sat
with great difficulty. It seemed as if she would rise in spite of the custom
of kings and queens, but finally when they came to that part of the chorus
where with a shout they proclaim him King of kings suddenly the young queen
rose and stood with bowed head, as if she would take her own crown from
off her head and cast it at his feet. Let us make him King and every day
be loyal to him. This is the secret of peace." J. Wilbur Chapman 2
QUOTES THAT COUNT
Evans quotes two authors that are of interest as the humanity of Christ
is introduced. You might read these if you have his book available to you.
The quotes are from Sinclair Patterson and James Denney. (P 53)
FOOTNOTES:
1. Derickson, Stanley L., Paper done for English Grammar and Composition,
Western Bible Institute, 1-27-70
2. Stanley I. Stuber and Thomas Curtis Clark, "TREASURY OF THE CHRISTIAN
FAITH", New York: Association Press, 1949, p 93.
3. Evans "The narrative of the virgin birth need not stagger us. The
abundance of historical evidence in its favor should lead to its acceptance.
All the manuscripts in all the ancient versions contain the record of it.
All the traditions of the early church recognize it. Mention of it is made
in the earliest of all the creeds: the Apostles' Creed. If the doctrine
of the virgin birth is rejected it must be on purely subjective grounds.
If one denies the possibility of the supernatural in the experience of
human life, it is, of course, easy for him to deny this doctrine. To one
who believes that Jesus was human only it would seem comparatively easy
to deny the supernatural birth on purely subjective grounds. The preconceptions
of thinkers to a great degree determine their views. It would seem that
such a wonderful life as that lived by Christ, having as it did such a
wonderful finish in the resurrection and ascension, might, indeed should,
have a wonderful and extraordinary entrance into the world. The fact that
the virgin birth is attested by the Scriptures, by tradition, by creeds,
and that it is in perfect harmony with all the other facts of that wonderful
life should be sufficient attestation of its truth." Evans mentions "THE
VIRGIN BIRTH", by James Orr, D.D. as a good book for further study. Taken
from: "THE GREAT DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE"; Evans, William; Copyright 1974,
Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission. p 54
THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST
I. HE HAD A HUMAN BIRTH
Born of woman: Gal. 4:4
Virgin birth: Matt. 1:18-2:12, Lu. 1:30-38; 2:1-20
II. HE HAD HUMAN TERMS APPLIED TO HIM
Son of David: Matt. 1:1, Matt. 12:23, Matt. 15:22
Son of Abraham: Matt. 1:1
Born of the seed of David: Rom. 1:3
Descendent of Adam: Lu. 3:23-38
This fulfilled a promise to: Eve Gen 3:15, Ahaz Isa. 7:14
Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua:
Carpenter: Mk. 6:3
Man: I Tim. 2:5
Flesh and blood: Heb. 2:14
III. HE HAD HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
He was an early home schooler: Lu. 2:40, Lu. 2:52, Lu. 4:16, Jn. 7:15.
He visited the temple: Lu. 2:41,46,47
He knew Scripture: Lu. 4:17, Matt. 4:4
IIII. HE HAD ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF HUMAN NATURE
He had a human body: Heb. 10:5, Heb. 10:10, Matt. 26:12, Jn 2:21, Heb.
2:14.
EVEN AFTER THE RESURRECTION HE HAD A HUMAN BODY - GLORIFIED! Lu. 24:39
He had a soul: Matt. 26:38, Jn. 12:27, Act. 2:27,31
He had a spirit: Mk. 2:8, Mk. 8:12, Lu. 23:46, Jn. 13:21
V. HE HAD THE INFIRMITIES THE HUMAN BODY
He was tired: Jn. 4:6
He was hungry: Matt. 4:2, Matt. 21:18
He was thirsty: Jn. 19:28
He slept: Matt. 8:24
He was tempted: Heb. 2:18, Heb. 4:15
He was limited in knowledge: Mk. 13:32, Mk. 11:13, Mk. 5:30-34, Jn.
11:34
VI. HE WAS KNOWN AS A MAN
He was called a man by Himself: Jn. 8:40
He was called a man by John The Baptist: Jn. 1:30
He was called a man by Peter: Acts 2:22
He was called a man by Paul: Acts 13:38; I Cor. 15:21; I Cor. 15:47;
Phil. 2:8
He was known as a man: Jn. 7:27; Jn. 10:33
He was known as a Jew: Jn. 4:9
He was thought to be older than He was: Jn. 8:57
He was accused of blasphemy for calling Himself other than man: Jn.
10:33
He had the appearance of a man post-resurrection: Jn. 20:15; Jn. 21:4,5
He appeared in human form in glory: I Tim. 2:5; Matt. 16:27,28; 25:31
He appeared in his bodily form in power: Matt. 26:64,65
He will judge the world as a man: Acts. 17:31
VII. HE DISPLAYED THE EMOTIONS OF A HUMAN
Matt. 26:36-44
Mk. 3:5
Lu. 10:21
Lu. 22:44
Jn. 11:35
Jn. 12:27
Jn. 13:21
Jn. 13:23
VIII. HE NEEDED SPIRITUAL HELP
He prayed: Mk. 1:35, Lk. 22:44
He was empowered by the Holy Spirit: Acts. 10:38