The Amazing Humanity of Jesus Christ
Preface
The Second Advent of the Messiah has long been anticipated by the Church of Jesus Christ; and even more, the Godly have been enjoined to reverently hasten their LORD's return by faithful witness and believing prayer, i.e., "Come, LORD Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). "Looking for and hasting unto the coming [literally, hastening the coming] of the day of God" (2Peter 3:12). Even so, the conduct of the True Saints, who await the soon return of their Saviour, is inescapably linked to the events of the First Christmas. "And without controversy great is the Mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1Timothy 3:16).
Because the Son of God, Who is the "True God, and Eternal Life" (1John 5:20), has chosen to manifest Himself as Truly a Man, i.e., the Son of Man (Luke 19:10), He left us "an example, that [we] should follow His steps" (1Peter 2:21). "And the angel answered and said unto [Mary], The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).
If Jesus of Nazareth was only a mere man, then His birth would provide no more than intellectual conversation for theologians, slight interest for historians, or unbalanced fascination for devotees. "And [Jesus] saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ" (Mark 8:29). And, if Jesus was only another New Age incarnation of the Christ Consciousness, and not the "fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9), then He rightly deserved to die on that Roman cross for the sin of blasphemy... "because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God" (John 10:33). Moreover, if Jesus Christ is only one of many in a pantheon of gods, and not singularly, the Only "Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), then He would not be the Omnipotent God.
"16 For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17). Further, if Jesus is not God Almighty, then the ancient prophecies predicted a lie. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
But, if Jesus is the "I Am" (John 8:58) that appeared to Moses on the backside of the desert (Exodus 3:14), then His Christmas Advent as a real, human baby, was necessary:
The Amazing Humanity of Jesus Christ
1 of 11to fulfil prophecy, i.e., "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14),1. to provide an atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind, i.e., "But with the Precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot" (1Peter 1:19),
2. to provide a mediator between God and man, i.e., "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1Timothy 2:5),
3. to provide us an example of how we can and ought to live, i.e., "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an Example, that ye should follow His steps" (1Peter 2:21), and
4. to give us the Spirit of the New Covenant to secure our obedience, i.e., "Nevertheless I tell you the Truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you" (John 16:7).
5. Scriptural Proof of Christ's Human Nature