The Humanity of Jesus – Video and Article

Introduction

In my previous post, I showed how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are shown in the Bible as playing different roles in whatever God is doing. If you haven’t visited that post already, I would encourage to you do so before reading this post.

In this post, we will look more closely at the role of Jesus during his time on earth in a physical body. We often underestimate just how far our savior went in order to rescue us.

In the Bible, God is shown as having attributes that do not apply to human beings.

Physical Location

For example, God is able to be in more than one place at a time. Theologians often use the term “omnipresent” to describe this fact about God’s nature. PSALM 139:7-10 shows us that God is present anywhere and everywhere his people are.

Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence? If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea, even there your hand would guide me, your right hand would grab hold of me.

Psalm 139:7-10 NET

People across many different physical locations can talk to God, and hear from God, all at the same time. We do not have to travel to a specific location in order for God to hear our prayers. God is with us no matter where we are.

But when Jesus was on the earth, he was only in one place at a time. He had to physically travel to different locations. He often withdrew himself to take time alone to pray. If someone wanted to talk to him, or hear from him, or spend time with him, they had to travel to his physical location.

When Jesus became a man, he set aside his ability to be in more than one place at a time, and subjected himself to human limitations regarding physical location.

Power

For another example, God is shown in the Bible as possessing infinite power. Theologians often use the term “omnipotent” to describe this fact about God’s nature.

He is able to create planets and galaxies by merely speaking. He can output incredible amounts of energy, but he never needs to replenish his energy. He never needs to stop take a nap, or eat lunch, or drink water.

But when Jesus was on the earth, he had to take time to rest (John 4:6), he had to take time to sleep, and he had to eat food and drink water. The Bible says that he got hungry and tired (Mat 4:2).

Jacob’s well was there, so Jesus, since he was tired from the journey, sat right down beside the well. It was about noon.

John 4:6 NET

After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished.

Matthew 4:2 NET

When Jesus became a man, he set aside his ability to be all-powerful, and subjected himself to human limitations regarding rest, food, and drink.

Knowledge and Wisdom

For yet another example, God is shown in the Bible has possessing all knowledge and wisdom. (PSALM 147:5) God knows everything that can be known (1 John 3:20). He knows his plan for creation and for the future of mankind (ISA 46:10). Theologians often use the term “omniscient” to describe this fact about God’s nature.

Our Lord is great and has awesome power; there is no limit to his wisdom.

Psalm 147:5 NET

…God is greater than our conscience and knows all things.

1 John 3:20 NET

[God] announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire…’

Isaiah 46:10

But when Jesus was on the earth, he stated that there were things he did not know. (Mark 13:32). He said that there were things that the Father revealed to him, showing that there were things he did not already know. The Bible also tells us that Jesus grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52). When he was an infant, he had to learn how to walk, how to talk, and all sorts of other things.

But as for that day or hour no one knows it – neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son – except the Father.

Mark 13:32 NET

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

Luke 2:52 NET

When Jesus became a man, he set aside his ability to know all things, and subjected himself to human limitations regarding his knowledge and wisdom.

Temptation

The Bible says that God cannot be tempted (James 1:13). But it also says that Jesus was tempted in all the same ways that we are (Heb 4:15), but he never sinned.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:13 NET

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 NET

Summary

This is all summarized in Philippians 2:6-8

[Jesus] though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8

Although Jesus is God, coequal and coeternal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, he chose to come to earth on a rescue mission and take on the limits of what it means to be human.

At this point you may have some questions in your mind. For example, if Jesus voluntarily took on human limitations, how was he able to heal the sick, cast out demons, perform miracles, and so on.

I will explore the ramifications of this in my next post and video.