IncarnationSample

Why is Jesus able to show us what God is like?

Because he is both fully God and fully human, having two distinct natures in his one person.

Our faith affirms a mystery: the God of the whole universe revealed himself in a real human being, Jesus of Nazareth. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human. But, have you ever wondered how that’s even possible? 

Even though our finite minds may not be able to comprehend how Jesus could be both fully God and fully human, it would be wrong to assume that because we can’t understand it, it’s not true. Is it really surprising that God’s ways are beyond us?

But the question and its answer are so important- God’s revelation and salvation are at stake!

Think about it this way. If Jesus isn’t fully God, then he can’t fully reveal God. But if Jesus isn’t also fully human, then he can’t fully reveal God to humans.

So revelation is at stake!

And if Jesus isn’t fully God, then he can’t fully save us from our sins. But if Jesus isn’t also fully human, then he can’t save humans from their sin.

So salvation is at stake.

For Jesus to fully reveal God and fully to save us, he has to be fully God and fully human.

Spend a moment reading the Nicene Creed of the early Church as a statement of what Christians believe about God:

“We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father.

Through him, all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried.

The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.

He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.”