“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Just a preface, this is an article for 7Day Youth, feel free to “like” them here.
My apologies for not being able to get a video up. I still wanted to say something on 7DY while we celebrate Christmas and are reminded of the birth of Christ.
I had a discussion with a friend about a month ago. The friend said that they didn’t believe that Jesus was truly God. The verses she gave me in defense of her position caused me to realize they were based on an incorrect view of the Godhead, but also of the incarnation. That’s what I want to talk about. The incarnation of Jesus; when He took on flesh. (John 1:1-14)
Jesus is God. He has always existed. He has always been fully God. He always has had an equal status with God. In the incarnation, He took human flesh on himself. He didn’t decrease His nature as being God, rather He added human nature to it. He was still fully God, yet also fully man.
The huge significance is that in doing this He greatly humbled Himself. He chose to limit Himself by becoming a man. As a man, He’d face things common to man, but not to God. He would face hardships and turmoil; He would have to learn and mature; He would be tempted to sin (yet never sin); He would be subject to authority figures; He would live life as we do. He did experience pain and die for our sins. Through this, we can have eternal life and truly know, serve, and be transformed to reflect Him here on earth.
He stepped down from His throne in heaven to face this hardship for us. When taking on human flesh, He also chose to limit His use of His divine attributes. Jesus was still fully God, yet as a man, being subject to the things man is, He limited himself to relying upon God the Father’s provision and God the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowering. The times when He did know peoples thoughts, turn water into wine, walk on water, heal, forgive sins, and other works of God, He was operating at the leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Those were characteristics and abilities He always had, yet here He willingly subjected Himself to be obedient to and reliant upon God the Father.
But the main point I want to make is this: Jesus came into human flesh. He took on an earthly body. He was tested and tempted and understands the things we find difficult, not only because He knows all, but because He’s been through all. He relied upon the power and guidance Holy Spirit in His amazing, world-changing ministry and He calls us to do the same.
Now, Jesus sits at the right hand of God and has full exercise of His divine attributes once again. Through His incarnation, He gave us a perfect example of how we are to live and now He calls us to live as His followers and Kingdom builders, on the Earth, in the church, as His body.
So what’s going on in your life?
Are you having a hard time submitting to authority God has put in your life? Parents? A boss, a teacher, or police officer? (Check out Romans 13:1)
Are you weighed down in the constant battle against sin? (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Are you having a hard time accepting and loving the community you’re in (without sinning)? (Jeremiah 29:7)
Are you finding it difficult laying aside your comforts to follow what God’s calling you to do? (Matthew 19:29)
Whatever it is that is going on in your life, remember Jesus has faced the same types of hardships. Turn to Him, ask Him for His help, study His Word, talk to Him about everything, participate in your local church, and keep following Him.
Until next time. Merry Christmas, and God bless you.
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