Jesus is Fully Human

Day 2 Devotional

"...but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men."

Philippians 2:7
Jesus is not only fully divine, He is also fully man. He became man at a particular point in time through His Incarnation. Why is that significant? There are three important phrases in Philippians 2:7 that help us answer that question.

"emptied Himself"

At His Incarnation, Jesus chose to become like us instead of expressing His rights as fully God.

"taking the form of a bond-servant"

Jesus did not come as an earthly king or wealthy individual. He came as a servant. He came for one purpose: to serve as our ransom who would pay our debt of sin with His very blood. He paid the price required so that we can be reconciled to God.

"being born in the likeness of men"

God became a baby! Jesus experienced the helplessness and weakness of an infant, the challenges of adolescence, and the responsibilities of adulthood. He experienced temptation, struggle, hunger, and pain. Hebrews 2:17-18 states that Jesus "was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." As fully human, He understands our temptations. And as fully human, He sympathizes with our difficulties and disappointments. he knows what it is like to feel hurt, and He knows what it feels like to be tired, hungry, and worn out. He knows what it is like to be poor, and He understands deep grief.

In other words, because He is fully human, we can trust that God knows us fully and is intimately acquainted with our human experience — the ups and downs, highs and lows, trials and triumphs. In Jesus Christ, God can relate to us. He knows what we're going through. He is not a God who is far away; He is a God who is near. As fully God, He has the power to help us. And as fully man, He has the ability to hear us and to comfort us in every experience we will ever face in life.

Think about this for a moment. All the deepest mysteries that humans have considered and search for, and the deepest desires and longings of men's hears, can be met by knowing Jesus. God wants to reveal Himself to you. He cares about you, He knows everything about you, and He wants to know you.

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Jesus is Our Substitute

Day 2 — Part 2

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross."

Philippians 2:8
Why did Jesus become man? Jesus became man in order to die for all who believe in Him. The atonement is the reason for the Incarnation. our salvation can only be achieved by one who is both God and man, and that is Jesus. Jesus died a criminal's death on our behalf. Crucifixion was an excruciating form of execution. In fact, the English word "excruciating" actually means "from the cross."

Why did Jesus do that? Romans 3:23 states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." When Jesus died on the cross, He became our substitute. He died the death we deserve in order that we might experience life with Him now and forever.

"For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all."

James 2:10
We fail to measure up to God's perfect standard. Jesus came, not just to die for our sins, but to live a perfect life of obedience to God and His standards. He was tempted, but He did not sin. Romans 6:23 says that "the wages of sin is death." Death is the payment necessary for our sin. Jesus not only suffered physical death on the cross, but He experienced the pain of bearing the guilt of our sins.

God, in His love, sent Jesus because He knew we could never measure up on our own. We need a substitute. We needed Jesus, who in His perfection and obedience to God, measured up for us. He paid the price that needed to be paid so that we could be made right with God.
Only those who believe in Jesus and profess Jesus as Lord will enjoy the benefits of Christ's work on the cross. Romans 10:9 says that "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Thank Jesus for being your substitute and ask God to help you truly understand the price Jesus paid by taking your place. As Him how He wants this truth to change how you live your life, and thank Him for the work He did for you on the cross.
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