It is often said that Jesus was both fully man and fully God. If you are at all like me, this is a difficult concept for you. What does it mean to be both God and man? Most would say that sinlessness is a crucial part of that equation. The Bible tells us that Jesus lived a sinless life, and while I certainly accept this as Biblical truth, I struggle to picture a sinless day, let alone a sinless life.
Part of the reason I struggle with the idea of Jesus being fully man is that I would contend that part of the human condition is experiencing failure to live up to God’s standards. Falling short of the Holiness of the Creator is something that every human being has experienced. Every human except for Jesus. I am sure that Jesus struggled with temptation to sin. The Bible even gives accounts of Satan tempting Jesus.
Would you say that being fully human involves falling short of the glory of God? Perhaps Jesus was fully man by living like pre-fallen man in a fallen world?
What does it mean to be fully God? Is God even susceptible to temptation? If not was Jesus fully God? Perhaps God allowed himself to be tempted in order to be fully human?
Any thoughts on this?
How God and Jesus work are quite a mystery. What’s not a mystery however is what Jesus did for us, and how He loves us. At times when I am overwhelmingly confused by the mystery of God, I just have to rest in his love. Take some time today to rest in the truth of God’s love for you.
Well, Jesus did give up equal power to God to come to Earth. He put Himself under God the same way we all are. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s close. As far as sinlessness, Jesus circumvents that by not technically being the seed of Adam, being a virgin birth.