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Day 137

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 2.

“…So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one Person: without conversion, composition, or confusion: which person is very God and very man; yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.“

Scripture Lookup

Luke 1:27,31,35

Romans 9:5

1 Timothy 2:5

Reflection

Jesus is unique. This can make it confusing when trying to explain who He is, especially to those who are convinced that He was just a man, or just a spirit, but never both. From Scripture, however, we see that Jesus is man and God. So, how exactly does that work?

There is a mystery to how Jesus is both God and man, but there are things we can clearly say about Him. We know that He has a human nature, and we also know that He has a divine nature. There is nothing limiting Him from being fully man, and nothing that keeps Him from being fully God. We also know that as a man, He is perfect. This also is true of His divinity. There is no mingling of the two natures that would lessen His being a man or lessen His being God.

However, despite there being two natures, there is only one person: Christ. While the two natures are distinct, you can’t separate them: Jesus can’t be Jesus without His human nature, and He can’t be Jesus without His divine nature. To be Jesus is to be fully God and fully man. This is the only mediator between God and men. Any other Jesus will not do.

Such thinking about who Christ is may be new to you. It can be difficult! It sure is a lot easier to simply let people believe what they want about Jesus, and not have to work to explain the “hypostatic union” (the union of the two natures in the person of Jesus). But if you don’t grow in your knowledge of Christ, how can you grow in your love for Him? And how will you give a defense against those who redefine Jesus? May we echo the hymn:

More about Jesus would I know,
More of his grace to others show,
More of his saving fullness see,
More of his love who died for me.

Questions to Consider

How does the hypostatic union affect your salvation?

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Day 134

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 2.

“The Son of God, the second Person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father’s glory, of one substance and equal with him: who made the World, who upholdeth and governeth all things he hath made: did when the fullness of time was come take upon him man’s nature, with all the Essential properties, and common infirmities thereof,…“

Scripture Lookup

John 1:14

Galatians 4:4

Reflection

Attacking the nature of Christ is the norm for numerous cults that claim to be “Christian”. Of course, they don’t say they are attacking his nature; they vehemently promote their “truth”. These heresies are not new; they have been circulating since the first century. How do we combat them? By knowing to the best of our ability who our Savior truly is.

The Son of God is God. He, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, compose the Trinity. Even though He is the only begotten Son of the Father, He is not inferior to Him. This is the almighty Son, who created all things, and continues to uphold and direct all things! He, like the Father and Spirit, is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, infinite in being and perfection. You cannot exalt the Son too highly.

Knowing the true nature of the Son, that He is fully God and thus far beyond our limits, we turn to that point in time, ordained since the beginning, where the Son takes upon Himself human nature. He does not appear as a man; He is a man. While fully God, He is also fully man. He is born; He thirsts; he hungers; He grows weary. What it means to be human, He is. He shares in our common infirmities.

Questions to Consider

How is the Son God? How is the Son like us when He took on human flesh?

CredoCovenant

The Believers Covenant

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 137

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 134