What is the significance of Jesus coming down to earth in human form? Why couldn’t He simply announce forgiveness and reconciliation from a boom box in the clouds instead of coming to earth and moving through all the stages of human development? Jesus’ humanness and deity has caused theological disputes. Therefore, stories and arguments have been created to reconcile the idea of Jesus being fully God and fully human at the same time.
However, John 4: 1-3 clearly states: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”
In our circle this week we reflected on the import of Jesus being fully human and fully God. Here are some excerpts from our discussion:
· The idea that God is too great and ethereal to come down and talk to us stopped at that moment in the manger when Mary gave birth to the Son of God
· Jesus has a personal investment in humanity that started in the garden of Eden when man was created in God’s image
· Jesus embodied the unity of matter and spirit, rather than being a separate deity hero who takes away the sin of the world.
· Christians on the left are very focused on human flourishing and transformation while Christians on the right are focused on avoiding sin and over-spiritualizing Jesus. Both viewpoints have a lot of truth, and we need to find balance
· Jesus is present with us and cares about us, and as a human, he was able to model what a life of love looked like
· As God and human, Jesus demonstrated that it is possible for us humans to live fully guided by the spirit and he could dwell as spirit in a body of believers.
· God created the laws of physics and the principles of the universe. Therefore, He can certainly operate outside of those laws. However, he works within those laws as well to demonstrate that we are capable of so much more when we allow His spirit to guide and teach us
· Jesus had to come down and tell us personally about our dilemma. Our dilemma is our separation (from Him and others) and our propensity to be independent and ego driven. Jesus points us back to what love is
· The Gospel calls us to a life that is relevant, practical, and down to earth. And this Way can only be found through the guidance of the Holy Spirit
· Love is the guide to lead us down the right path and into new things and a new way of thinking and living, completely other that what we are used to!
