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Jesus Is One Person, Fully God and Fully Human

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5–8)

Jesus is fully God and fully human. The Bible teaches that Jesus is both God’s Son and Mary’s son. The One through whom all things were created was born as a baby. He who sustains the world was sustained by his mother’s milk. He satisfies our every need, yet he experienced hunger and thirst. He who alone grants growth grew. Jesus, who comforts us, experienced pain in every way—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We pray to him, and he prayed to our Father in heaven. He has always been and always will be!

Recall that the animal chosen for sacrifice in the Old Testament had to be without blemish, perfect, the best of the flock. That sacrifice points to Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice for us. We weren’t bought with cash. We were purchased out of our empty, sin-filled life by Jesus Christ’s own blood to live a full, grace-filled life.

Only Jesus, who is fully God and fully human, could be this perfect sacrifice. In order to be an effective mediator between us and God, Jesus had to be human so that he could identify with us [though sinless] so that he could die to pay the penalty for our sins (and not need a mediator for his own sins). The mediator had to keep the law perfectly. Only God is perfect. So the mediator could only be God! The mediator also had to be able to share our nature so that we can share in his victory. So God became man for us. Jesus, true God and true man, reconciled sinners to the one holy God—by dying and rising again. He came as a humble baby, and he conquered sin, death, and the devil!

Reflect on these questions after reading Hebrews 4:14–5:10.

• In what ways is Jesus able to empathize with us?
• Why can we approach the throne of grace more confidently when we know that Jesus can empathize with us?
• How should it affect your daily frustrations and joys to know that Jesus experienced everything you are facing—sin, doubt, fear, joy?
• What do you learn about Jesus’ prayer life in Hebrews 5:7?

Pray

Today’s prayer comes from the Apostles’ Creed, the historic declaration of faith.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the dead. In Jesus’ name, amen.