As we reflect on Jesus Christ’s life, it’s easy to get caught up in the familiar images that come to mind—whether it’s the tender infant in a manger during the holidays or the somber portrayal of Him on the cross during the Passion. Yet, a part of His existence often gets overshadowed: the years between His birth and crucifixion. This brings forth an important question: What about the genuine humanity of Christ as He lived and interacted with the world?
While Scripture strongly affirms that Jesus is fully God, it equally emphasizes the importance of His complete humanity. God saw the need for a representative—a human being—to bridge the gap between Himself and fallen humanity, one who would embody perfect obedience and uphold the covenant. In Jesus, we see this divine-human connection; He is highlighted in the New Testament as the true image of God.
One critical theological concept that helps us grasp this connection is the “Hypostatic Union.” This doctrine proclaims that Jesus is both fully God and fully man and that these two natures exist in perfect unity within one person. This profound truth is fundamental to understanding who Jesus is and the significance of His mission on Earth.
The willingness of the eternal Son of God to become human is an act of immense love and obedience. The Bible provides several references highlighting this reality. For instance, Colossians 1:15 refers to Jesus as the image of the invisible God. At the same time, Hebrews 1:3 underscores that He is the exact representation of God’s being. Moreover, Matthew 1:1 confirms His lineage and humanity. These scriptural insights and those of others, like Romans 5:15 and 1 Corinthians 15:45, emphasize the nature of Jesus’ incarnation.
The New Testament vividly portrays Jesus’s genuine humanity. As expressed in John 1:14, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” it underscores that Jesus fully experienced human life, just like us. Other verses, such as 1 John 4:2, affirm that recognizing Jesus as having come in the flesh is crucial. Christ’s life stories, such as the Last Supper in Matthew 26:12 and Luke 22:20, and His crucifixion detailed in John 19:34-37, illustrate His physical presence and emotional experiences in a way that resonates with our own human experiences.
The Apostle Paul further emphasizes Jesus’s human experience throughout his writings. Galatians 4:4 speaks of His birth “of a woman,” while Hebrews 4:15 highlights His ability to empathize with our weaknesses. These passages reaffirm that Jesus navigated life as we do, experiencing suffering, temptation, and joy. For instance, His weeping at the death of Lazarus (John 11:35) and His anger at the money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) are further examples of His human emotions and experiences.
Furthermore, Jesus exhibited a complete range of human emotions, from compassion to grief to joy, throughout His ministry. His extraordinary understanding and insight did not stem solely from His divinity; instead, they arose from His intimate relationship with the Father, with the Holy Spirit assisting Him in revelation. John 5:19 and 5:30 highlight His continual dependence on the Father’s guidance, reinforcing that His teachings were not just a result of divine knowledge, but of His deep emotional experiences as a human being.
In embracing humanity’s limitations, Jesus chose to live fully within His human experience, relying on the Father’s wisdom. His teachings and insights reflected His unique communion with God, demonstrating the profound interplay between His divine and human natures.
As we contemplate the person of Jesus Christ, let us not only remember His divine authority but also His profound humanity. The Hypostatic Union is not just a theological concept, but a powerful reminder of the love, empathy, and connection we share with our Savior, who truly understands what it means to be human. Embracing both aspects of His nature enriches our faith and provides a profound lens through which to view our own lives.
Debbie Swindell 