The humanity of Jesus Christ is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Jesus was fully God and fully man – the God-man. Understanding Jesus’ humanity is essential to understanding the gospel message and God’s plan of salvation for humanity. Here are 9 key reasons why the humanity of Jesus is profoundly significant:
1. Jesus identifies with us as humans
A core aspect of Jesus’ humanity is that He identifies with us in our struggles and weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions and difficulties yet did not sin (Hebrews 2:17-18). His humanity enables Him to empathize with our pain and provide grace and mercy.
2. Jesus serves as our example to follow
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless human life solely by the power of the Holy Spirit. His sinless humanity serves as the model for how we should live. 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” We are called to walk as Jesus walked, displaying the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus shows us what it means to live a godly human life.
3. Jesus qualifies as the perfect mediator between God and man
A mediator is one who reconciles estranged parties. Jesus’ dual nature as fully God and fully man makes Him the only suitable mediator between holy God and sinful humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). His deity allows Him to reveal God to us perfectly. His humanity qualifies Him to represent us before God. Only the God-man can restore broken fellowship between the Creator and His fallen creation (Hebrews 9:15).
4. Jesus’ sacrifice pays for our sins
Jesus had to be fully human for His sacrificial death to pay the penalty for human sin. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). An angel could not die for our sins. Animal sacrifices could not fully atone. Only the God-man, sinless in His humanity, could offer the perfect sacrifice.
5. Jesus destroys the power of the devil
By becoming human and overcoming the devil’s temptations, Jesus broke Satan’s hold on humanity (Hebrews 2:14-15). His victorious human life and death on the cross defeated the powers of darkness, liberating humans from bondage to sin and Satan (Colossians 2:15). Jesus came in the flesh to destroy the devil’s works (1 John 3:8). His human victory is imputed to all who trust in Him.
6. Jesus is able to relate to humans in a way God cannot
As God, Jesus remains distinct from His creation. But as man, Jesus connects to human beings in a way that God in His divine nature alone cannot. Jesus communicates God’s truth to us and makes God known through the veil of His humanity. Through the incarnation, we see God’s character and heart in a way that would be impossible otherwise. “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18).
7. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God
While God in His full glory cannot be seen by humans, Jesus makes God known to us visually through His humanity. Jesus is called “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). He reflects God’s nature and radiance in a way we can grasp. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). Through Christ’s human life and words, we see and hear from God in a tangible way.
8. Jesus is the founder of our salvation
The book of Hebrews explains how Jesus had to be human in order to accomplish our salvation. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery…Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14-17).
9. Jesus is the pioneer of our redemption
Jesus’ humanity also qualifies Him to be the pioneer of our redemption. “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering” (Hebrews 2:10). Jesus is the author, source, and initiator of eternal salvation for humanity. His human sufferings opened the door for our glorious future redemption. He is the trailblazer who made a way for many to follow.
In summary, Jesus’ full humanity is essential to the gospel. His human experience allows Him to identify with us. His sinless human example shows how we should live. As the God-man, He alone can mediate between God and man. His human sacrifice provides atonement for sin. His human victory defeats Satan. Jesus reveals God to us through His humanity. He is the founder, pioneer and perfecter of our salvation. Understanding Christ’s humanity is foundational to grasping the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.