There is an unresolvable mystery surrounding the Christmas story. It has to do with the illogical proposition that Jesus was fully human, and yet also fully God. It has to do with the fulfillment of prophecy spoken by the Prophet Isaiah, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (7:14) Matthew’s Gospel tells “Immanuel” means “God with us.” (1:23)
For me there are many mysteries about the virgin birth, the signs of God, the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the star, Herod’s role, and the trip to Egypt then back to Nazareth. All of this as a part of God’s plan of salvation, just takes my breath away. But when I consider the duality of the life of the Man/God Jesus Christ, I’m almost speechless. Notice I said, “almost.” I am, after all, a pastor/teacher/writer, and you can ask anyone… I am seldom caught speechless.
The question I ponder all year long, but most intensely at Christmas is, “To what degree was Jesus a man? To what degree was Jesus divine?” It’s easy to take a Sunday School approach, like a child just learning “facts” by repetition, and answer, “Jesus was 100% human, 100% divine.” These are indeed the facts as presented in Scripture. Therein lies the mystery.
At age 12 Jesus has traveled with His parents to Jerusalem for Passover, but on the way back home they discover He is not in the caravan. Going back to the Temple, they find Him sitting with the teachers (Sanhedrin), “both listening and asking them questions.” When questioned by His parents “why have You treated us this way?”, Jesus responds, “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” So, even at this young age, Jesus was self-aware of at least some of His own nature of Sovereignty.
From what point during His childhood, did Jesus start becoming self-aware of the duality of His nature? Scripture teaches that He was “tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin,” and this temptation was directed at the MAN – Jesus. At the same time, the Bible says that Jesus claimed, “I and the Father are one.” so the MAN-Jesus claims to be God-Jesus. Anyone who spends much time considering the implications of these two phrases, will find themselves in a mystery so rich and deep it cannot be fathomed.
A few years ago, I was introduced to a Christmas song, that has become my absolute favorite. I listen to it often every year around this time. It speaks to me.
To what degree was Jesus a Man? 100%
To what degree is Jesus God? 100%
It is a…
The child was born on Christmas day
Born to save the world
But long before the world began
He knew His Death was sure
The pain and strife secured
Mystery… how He came to be a Man
But greater still…How His Death was in His Plan
God predestined that His Son would die
And He still created man
Oh what Love is this
That His Death was in His Hands
The Christmas trees they glow so bright
With presents all round
But Christmas brought a tree of life
With Blood that sacrificed
The greatest gift in life
I am just a man
And can’t begin to comprehend
When You look into this traitor’s eyes
What do You see that justifies the Lamb
God predestined that His Son would die
And He still created man
Oh what Love is this
That His Death was in His Plan
Mystery…
Mystery…
click on the Title – “Mystery” above, then watch and listen on YouTube.
As I was saying... 