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The Divinity In Humanity
Brian Mashburn
December 10, 2006
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The Divinity In Humanity
If he was only God, he wouldn't have felt tempted in any way. But he was deeply human, and so he felt tempted in every way. He was tempted to lie, to cheat, to take shortcuts. He was tempted to lust, to be legalistic, to be prideful. He was tempted to measure his success based on worldly standards, to overeat, to under-eat. He was tempted to be lazy, to over-work (another form of laziness), to over compensate.
God led Jesus out to be tempted (Matthew 4:1). If divinity wasn't firmly packaged in humanity, he wouldn't have been tempted. But he was. In every way. Just like you.
(Hebrews 4:15).
God had plans for Jesus that Jesus didn't want (Matthew 26:38-44). If divinity wasn't firmly packaged in humanity, he wouldn't have asked for God to find another way. But he was deeply human, and so he begged God to spare him what He was requiring. He asked Him to change His mind. Just like you.
God's plan for Jesus caused Jesus to wonder if God had forsaken him (Matthew 27:46). It was so painful, and Jesus felt so alone and isolated from His Father. God hadn't forsaken him. And if divinity wasn't firmly packaged in humanity, he wouldn't have felt forsaken. But he was deeply human, and he suffered the temporary illusion of God's abandonment. Even though intellectually he knew better. Just like you.
Jesus never sinned. And if divinity wasn't firmly packaged in humanity, that would be no big deal. We don't expect divinity to sin. We don't expect God capable of it, and rightly so. But if Jesus was deeply human, it was nothing short of a miracle of God that Jesus didn't sin. It's why the Bible makes a big deal about it (Hebrews 5:15).
Why does this matter? Because God has firmly packaged divinity in humanity again (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). Because you don't need to beat yourself up when you are tempted in every way...that part makes you like Christ, and you don't even have to try. And if you feel this freedom, you may find Christ packaged right in the midst of your heart, acting out His life once again right in the midst of yours.