Christ's Human Nature Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecy
The redemption of mankind from his sins, has been the intention of the God of Love from the beginning. "And I will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15). Much of God's redemptive program seems mysterious to us because His ways are so much higher than our ways.
"For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). The "seed" (Genesis 3:15) of the woman makes embryonic reference to the Virgin Birth and Humanity of the LORD Jesus Christ. Even before we had confessed that we were sinners, the Father had been preparing His Son to be the "propitiation for our sins" (1John 2:2). Satan bruised the heel of the LORD Jesus Christ on the Cross, but only temporarily. "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of Glory" (1Corinthians 2:8).
However, Satan's head was bruised by the LORD Jesus Christ, ultimately, for Eternity. "And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the Beast and the False Prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).
The LORD Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son (1John 4:9) of the Father, was always and eternally begotten in His person. "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee" (Psalm 2:7). But, the Son's manifestation in human flesh occurred only about 2,000 years ago. "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law" (Galatians 4:4). The Humanity of Christ is part of the "Mystery of Godliness" (1Timothy 3:16). Only a man with a willing heart to do the will of God could understand such a puzzle. "If any man will do His will [literally, is willing to do His will], he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself" (John 7:17).
When the LORD Jesus was confronted with the contentious and deceptive questions of the scribes and Pharisees, He proposed His own question to them, which if they answered, He would answer their questions. Jesus addressed the Messianic significance of the Second Psalm, which lends itself to the both the concepts of the Divinity and Humanity of the Messiah. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1). Jesus addressed the scribes, who claimed to believe the Scriptures, with the seeming contradiction that the Messiah, who would be "David's son" (humanity of Christ), would also be David's "LORD" or Superior (divinity of Christ). "41 And He said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD [the Father] said unto my LORD [the Son], Sit Thou on My right hand, 43 Till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth Him LORD, how is he [David] then His son?" (Luke 20:41-44).
The Virgin Birth of Christ was the appointed means to manifest God in human flesh. "Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Since the Only Wise God (Romans 16:27) chooses the most suitable means to the end of redeeming mankind from his sins, the humanity of Christ was necessary.
"And the angel answered and said unto her, 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). As the "Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1) had to become a man to perform the high priestly duties of making reconciliation for our sins. "17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour [literally, help] them that are tempted" (2:17-18). If we view God's conduct toward man from the Creation until now, we will better appreciate that God's manifestation of Himself to us through the Son and the Holy Spirit, reveals that He is a God that is benevolently, personally interested in our welfare. "Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?" (Jeremiah 23:23). His presence on this planet through the humanity of the LORD Jesus, demonstrates His desire to give man rest from his sins. "And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest" (Exodus 33:14).
The Old Testament of the Scriptures is replete with clues of God's purpose to redeem and govern mankind through the human advent of the Divine Son of God. "6 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. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:6-7). What astounds us is that the Son of God condescended to become a man-- to suffer all the difficulties of the flesh and the human condition, "yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
Heaven will surely be filled with the Saints' praise and admiration for so bold an act of love that the Son of Man would become human flesh and then "lay down His life for His friends" (John 15:13). "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (Jn 15:14).