Christ’s humanity
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human is from God (1 John 4:2b).
Christ’s humanity – pretty important! Important enough that for the writer of this epistle, it is part of our confession. Important enough that John’s Gospel makes it clear that Christ came into the world – ‘The Word was in the world’ (John 1:10); and then in verse 14, so many Bible versions state it so clearly:
- ‘The Word became a human, and lived among us’ (NCV).
- ‘The Word became flesh and made his home among us’ (CEB).
- ‘The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us’ (NIV).
- ‘The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood’ (The Message).
Pretty important. God in Christ is both divine and human. ‘When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin’ (Hebrews 4:15).
It’s important because we have a God who identifies with us and is who we can identify with. He is like us in every way. He experienced emotions: disappointment, hope, anger and compassion. He experienced suffering: God knows what we go through when we suffer, as different as it may be for each one of us. He enjoyed life: attending weddings and feasts and mixing with those who make life interesting. He told stories (usually called parables): often leaving them hanging, challenging us to think through the meaning and consequences. He is like us: living and dying!
And, like God in everything! (Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15). So, Christ is divine, but he was willing to give that up, become human and become like us. Wow, a God like that appeals to me. Inviting me and you to join with him in living life to the full, to experience humanity in all its weaknesses and strengths and be part of divinity because of Christ in us.
What a gift; what a confession!
Lord Christ, thank you for becoming a human in Jesus. Thank you for experiencing life on this earth, so I may have eternal life with you. Amen.
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