Jesus - Person

Jesus Christ is the greatest name in the history of mankind, and all over the world people recognise his vast influence on the last 2,000 years. But Christians insist that he is much more than a figure of human history. He is absolutely unique, as someone who was and is both God and Man.

The Son of God came into this world through the miracle of the virgin conception, taking a real human nature while never ceasing to be God. This was no temporary marvel but a permanent incarnation. His true humanity is clear in the Gospels. He grew up in a family and then worked for a living. He experienced hunger and thirst, tiredness and pain, sorrow and joy. He had to depend on the help of his Father and on the power of the Holy Spirit. He was even tempted, but never succumbed to any temptation, and lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God. At last he was subject to death and burial in weakness and shame.

Our affirmation that Jesus was fully human must never be allowed to weaken our belief that he was also truly divine. He always was the Son of God, and continues to be a divine person in his life on earth and forever. He claimed deity. He used the sacred name of God, "I Am" (John 8: 58), he said he was one with the Father (John 10: 30), he legislated for people (Matthew 5: 21-48), he forgave sins (Matthew 9: 2-7), he demanded absolute allegiance (Matthew 10: 37-38), he said he would judge the world (Matthew 25: 31-32), and he accepted worship (John 20: 28). His followers were convinced of the truth of these claims and proclaimed a divine Saviour, describing Jesus throughout the New Testament in terms which are appropriate only to God. Worship is the proper response to Jesus. He demands and deserves adoration and surrender.

Did Jesus Christ live B.C.?

John 1: 1, 14; 2 Corinthians 8: 9; Galatians 1: 4; Philippians 2: 6-7

Compare these verses, on God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament.

Exodus 3: 14, John 8: 58
Psalm 45: 6, Hebrews 1: 8
Isaiah 45: 23, Philippians 2: 10-11
Joel 2: 32, Acts 2: 21

How do these verses illustrate the real humanity of Jesus?

Luke 2: 51-52; John 4: 6-7; Mark 4: 38; John 11: 35; Mark 14: 32-34

What encouragement can we draw from Jesus' sharing of human experience?

Hebrews 2: 17-18; 4: 15

Examine some of the passages noted above, and ask what difference these claims of Jesus should make in our lives.