Why is the humanity of Jesus so important?
At Christmas time we celebrate God coming and dwelling with man in the person of Jesus Christ. But why is this incarnation and the humanity of Jesus so important?
Jesus being both God and human is an extremely important belief within Christianity. Just a few hundred years into church history there were some people like Gnostics who denied the humanity of Jesus; they taught that he just appeared to be human. They believed that Christ’s body was not human but either a phantasm or of real but celestial substance, and that therefore his sufferings were only apparent. This false teaching is known as Docetism.
Today, it is more common to have to show proof of the divinity of Jesus to combat certain false religions such as Jehovah Witnesses. However, it is equally important to be able to understand and explain why Jesus also had to be fully human and fully God.
Here are some brief reasons why the humanity of Jesus is so important:
(1)To fulfil Biblical prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah and saviour of the world.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 7:14)
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)
(2)The Bible states that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.”
Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22
Under the Old Covenant, the temporary forgiveness of sins was achieved through the sacrifice of animals. However, as Hebrews 10:4 clearly shows “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”. Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, sacrificed His human life and shed His human blood to cover the sins of all who would ever believe in Him. If He were not human, this would have been impossible. (John 1:29; Colossians 1:22). It is the shedding of Jesus’ blood that has:
Redeemed us. (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
Reconciled us to God. (Colossians 1:20)
Justified us and saved from God’s wrath. (Romans 5:9; Romans 3:24-25)
Cleansed us. (Hebrews 9:14)
Purified us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
Enabled access to the throne room of God. (Hebrews 10:19)
Made us Holy. (Hebrews 13:12; Revelation 7:14))
Freed us from our sins. (Revelation 1:5)
Given us victory of the evil one. (Revelation 12:11)
(3) Jesus was ‘born under the law’
Galatians 4:4-5 states that Jesus was born of a woman and was under the law. No angelic being or animal is subject to God’s laws. Jesus is the only human being who was totally obedient to the law and was able to redeem us, exchanging our sin for His perfect righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
(4) Jesus can relate fully to us as human beings.
Jesus has come in the flesh; He is able to sympathize with our human frailties; he understands what we are going through whenever we are tempted or go through trials.
Jesus is our high priest who is able to interceded for us having been tempted just like we are but was totally obedient and sinless. (Hebrews 4:14)
(5) Anyone who denies Jesus came in the flesh is not a true believer.
According to 1 John 4:2-3, anyone who states that Jesus did not come in the flesh does not have the Spirit of God but has the spirit of the antichrist.
