There always has been controversy as to whether JESUS was God or man. Some people believe he was human but possessed supernatural powers which made him able to perform miracles as he did. On the other hand, some chose to deny any of his works completely saying that they believe in God the (father) only. What do you think ?
We can derive an explanation for this by a simple comparison of past and present times.
The Jews saw and experienced Christ‘s life on earth. We today, on the other hand, have read and believed in the inspired word of God. That Jesus was the true son of God who came in flesh. But strikingly the Jews denied Christ’s DIVINITY and only accepted his HUMANITY side.
“We know him, they said”
John 7:27
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
“He is unlearned, they stated”
John 7:15
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
“He lies, they indicated”
John 6:42
And they said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
“He is mad, they thought”
Mar 3:20-21
And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
“He is possessed, they shouted”
John 7:19-20
Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
“He is a deceiver, they doubted”
John 7:12
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
Family doubted him as well
John 7:5
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
“He blasphemes, the High priest accused him”
Mat 26:64-65
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
The Jews were not as impressed by Jesus’s claim to be the Son of God as we do acknowledge today. What is the meaning of this you may ask? Let’s unravel the mystery.
The true meaning of the incarnation
“Satan represents God’s law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our parents with all the war that has resulted, he charges upon the creator leading man to look upon God as the author of sin ,suffering and death. Jesus was to unveil this deception. As one of us he was to give an example of obedience. For this he took upon himself our nature and passed through our experiences.” (Desire Of Ages by Ellen G. White p.5)
Jesus’s coming to the world had little or nothing to do with his divinity. The Jews did not realize that by being human Christ was serving the rightful purpose. He came to show us how to overcome the world with the power given to us from above. So when they were murmuring, doubting, and torturing Christ it was for that cause he came to this world, and little did they realize that prophecy was being fulfilled.
Heb 2:14-18
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
NIV
“…IF we have to bear anything which Jesus did not endure then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us”
Heb.4vs.15
“Therefore Jesus was in all points tempted as we are”
Therefore we have no excuse when temptations take the good of us because we did not ask for his help. If we do ask then we have his protection always.
Key point: Don’t place a low estimate upon self and think that it’s impossible to lead a sin free life.
“…Jesus endured everything to which we are subject and he exercised in his own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As men he mat temptation and overcame in the strength given him from God.”(Desire Of Ages by Ellen G. White p.5)
Why incarnation?
We should overcome as Jesus did. That’s expected of us. We can only overcome through the power given us from above as Jesus himself was. Jesus never used his powers to help himself out of temptation but he asked for help from God through prayer and supplication. He has given us answers and solutions to our everyday challenges and temptations through the perfect exemplary life he lived and he expects us to follow in his footsteps. So the Jews helped us a lot by doubting Christ’s divinity because from that we learn how to overcome the power of temptation and live righteous lives. We on the other hand put the other piece together of discovering that he was God identifying with us struggling and suffering in this world to show us the right way.
Good news
(John 5vs 22-23)
- “The father has committed all judgment to his son that all should honor the father as they honor the son. He who does not honor the son does not honor the father who sent him.”
It is great news that Jesus is the one judging us because as human beings he understands us more than angels do or anyone for that matter. He also can grant you the power to overcome any temptation because he escaped all temptations as a human without using his divinity. If you make him your number one priority and role model and strive to follow in his footsteps he will grant you the power to overcome. If you fail that’s because like many who are blinded by the devil you have refused Heaven granted help by declaring that it is impossible to keep God’s Law.
1 John 1vs 9
If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God help you from today onward as you begin to prioritize Jesus Christ in your life.
God bless you and see you in the next lesson.
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