What does it matter that Jesus was fully God and fully human?
Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering. Romans 8:3
Jesus lived as a human made in God’s image without the corruption of sin so that he could restore the image of God in our humanity.
If God is all-powerful, couldn’t he have saved the world without becoming human? Given what we know about the frailty of human beings, could there have been a better way? Was the incarnation, Jesus becoming human, even necessary? Did Jesus have to leave heaven to be born as a helpless infant?
These are challenging and fascinating questions.
Following Adam and Eve’s sin, all humans were born marred by sin. But they weren’t originally created that way. In Plan 2, “The Fall,” we talked about how Adam and Eve did not do what they were supposed to do. They disobeyed God and sin entered the world. Because of that, God told them that their children would be born with a sinful nature, but he would make a way for them to be saved. He did this through the person of Jesus.
Sin put a wedge between Adam and Eve and God and it puts a wedge between us and God. But back in the garden when it all went wrong, God promised Adam and Eve that he would make a way for restoration. He would rescue us from sin and death so that we could be with him forever. That way was Jesus.
Jesus came to earth to redeem and restore us. Jesus conquered sin and death forever when He died on the cross and rose again.
In Jesus, not only can we be forgiven from all our sins, but God offers us the opportunity to become his children and to be a part of his family forever. As children of God we have the hope of eternal life spent with the Father and the Son.
Spend some time today reflecting on the gift of salvation offered through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and ask God to make you more like him.