Consider Jesus

This advent and Christmas season, I've been struck again and again by the enormity of Jesus, the Son of Man. Christmas helps us think of his humble birth and the fact that he was born at all. After all God could just "show up" as a 30 year old, couldn't he? Easter helps us think of the physical suffering he endured to bear our sins, not to mention the even worse spiritual suffering his sacrifice required. However, in between the manger and the cross lived a person very much like us, except without sin. Yet, in his very humanity is the core of his role as our sympathetic high priest. Consider Heb 2:14-18

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

The basic conclusion is that Jesus had to be fully human in order to deliver us from our sins. Did we need his perfect, holy sacrifice? Absolutely. Did Jesus need to be fully God to bear the infinite offense of our sins? Without a doubt. And yet a Savior who was only God would have been insufficient, just like a Savior who was only man would also have been insufficient. We needed both. Fully God to satisfy the just wrath of God and fully man to intercede for us before the throne of grace.

So, as 2014 approaches, let's take serious again (or maybe for the first time) the call of Heb 3:1-6

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

To God Alone Be The Glory