Have you ever heard about the divinity and humanity of Jesus? The Bible refers to Jesus as both the Son of God and the Son of Man. So, is Jesus God or human?
This is a question that many people wonder about. Today, let’s explore this mysterious topic in a simple way and understand how Jesus can have both divine and human natures at the same time.
1. The Divinity of Jesus: Jesus Is God
Let’s first talk about Jesus’ divinity. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God. In John 1:1, it says:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
Here, “the Word” refers to Jesus. This means that Jesus existed from the beginning with God and is God. In addition, in John 10:30, Jesus says, “I and the Father are one,” showing that He shares the same divine nature as God the Father.
- Answering a Common Question: “Is Jesus really God?”
Yes, the Bible clearly states that Jesus is truly God. He shares the same essence as God, is the Creator, and has the power and authority to save the world.
2. The Humanity of Jesus: Jesus Was Fully Human
In addition to His divinity, Jesus also had a human nature. He came to earth in the form of a man just like us. Philippians 2:6-7 explains this well:
“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” (Philippians 2:6-7).
Even though Jesus was the Son of God, He took on a human body and experienced hunger, sorrow, and pain just like we do. In John 11:35, we see Jesus weeping at the death of His friend Lazarus, which shows His human emotions.
- Answering a Common Question: “Did Jesus really feel pain and emotions like a human?”
Yes! Jesus was fully human, which means He felt pain, sadness, and all the other emotions we do. Because of this, we can trust that Jesus fully understands our struggles.
3. The Coexistence of Divinity and Humanity: Fully God, Fully Human
Now, the big question: “How can Jesus be both God and human at the same time?”
The church has long reflected on this question and concluded that Jesus is fully God and fully human. This means that Jesus had two natures (divine and human) that existed together without mixing or changing. These two natures were in perfect harmony within Him.
- Jesus’ Divinity: As God, Jesus was sinless and able to forgive sins. Only God can save us from sin, which is why Jesus had to be fully divine.
- Jesus’ Humanity: As a human, Jesus could take our place on the cross. He suffered for our sins as a human, experiencing the pain and death that we deserved.
Hebrews 4:15 also speaks to this:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus experienced the same trials and hardships we do, but He was without sin, showing His perfect balance of divinity and humanity.
4. The Reason for the Coexistence: For Our Salvation
So why did Jesus have to be both fully God and fully human? The answer lies in the purpose of our salvation.
- As God, Jesus had the power to forgive sins.
- As man, Jesus could take on the punishment of death on our behalf.
Because these two natures coexisted in Jesus, He was able to restore our relationship with God and give us eternal life through His resurrection. If Jesus were only divine, He couldn’t have died for us; if He were only human, He wouldn’t have had the authority to forgive sins.
- Answering a Common Question: “Why did Jesus need both divinity and humanity?”
To save us, Jesus needed to be both fully God and fully human. As a human, He could suffer for us, and as God, He could defeat sin and death.
Conclusion: The Key to Our Salvation—Jesus’ Divinity and Humanity
Jesus Christ was fully God and fully human, and this combination made our salvation possible. Because of His divinity, He could forgive sins, and because of His humanity, He fully understands our struggles and paid the ultimate price for our sins.
This profound truth is not just a theological concept, but the foundation that allows us to build a deeper relationship with Jesus every day.
I hope this article helps clarify how Jesus’ divinity and humanity coexist and draws you closer to Him as you reflect on His unique role in our salvation! 😊