The Incarnation of God the Son: A Marvelous Mystery
The Bible is clear: “The Word became flesh” (John 1:14). But what does this mean, and why is it so important? In this article, we’ll explore the doctrine of the incarnation, a fundamental concept in Christian theology.
God the Son: Fully Divine and Fully Human
The Son, who is eternally related to the Father and Spirit, willingly humbled himself and chose to assume a human nature. This was not a diminishment of his deity but an addition to his divine nature. As the image and exact correspondence of the Father (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3), the Son is fully God. He participates in the divine rule, receives divine worship, and does all divine works as the Son (Ps. 110:1; Eph. 1:22; Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2-3; Rev. 5:11-12).
The Virgin Conception: A Supernatural Event
The virgin conception was the time and means by which the divine Son added to himself a human nature. By this supernatural event, the triune God created a new human nature for the Son. As a result, in Jesus, we truly meet God face-to-face, not indwelling or overshadowing human flesh but in full undiminished glory.
Jesus: One Person with Two Natures
The individual Jesus is one person—the Son—who now subsists in two natures, fully God and fully man. His human nature was unfallen and untainted by the effects of sin. Jesus fully experienced the effects of living in a fallen world, but he did not share the guilt or disposition of Adam’s sin passed on to the human race. In fact, Jesus never committed a sin, nor could he (Matt. 3:15; John 8:46; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 1:19).
The Incarnation: A Demonstration of God’s Sovereign and Gracious Initiative
The incarnation was thoroughly supernatural and a demonstration of our triune God’s sovereign and gracious initiative to redeem his people (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). The Son’s obedience unto death, as our covenant mediator, accomplished our salvation as the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 5:5-10).
Implications of the Incarnation
The incarnation has profound implications for our understanding of God, humanity, and salvation. It shows that God is willing to go to great lengths to redeem his people. It also demonstrates that Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:11). As the divine Son, he alone satisfies God’s own judgment against us and the demand for perfect obedience (Rom. 5:12-21).
Conclusion
The incarnation of God the Son is a marvelous mystery that is at the heart of Christian theology. It is a demonstration of God’s sovereign and gracious initiative to redeem his people. As we reflect on this doctrine, may we be filled with wonder, awe, and gratitude for the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
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