Bible Basics

Study 8: The Nature Of Jesus

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8.1 Introduction1 Tim. 2:5: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”.

As there is only one God, it is impossible that Jesus could be God; if the Father is God and Jesus is also God, then there are two Gods. “But to us there is but one God, the Father” (1 Cor. 8:6). ‘God the Father’ is therefore the only God. It is therefore impossible that there can be a separate being called ‘God the Son’. Yahweh, the one God, is the Father (e.g. Is. 63:16; 64:8).

In addition to this one God, there is the mediator, the man Christ Jesus - “...and one mediator...”. That word “and” indicates a difference between Christ and God.

As Christ is the “mediator” it means that he is a go-between. A mediator between sinful man and sinless God cannot be sinless God Himself; it had to be a sinless man, of sinful human nature. “The man Christ Jesus” - even though he was writing after the ascension of Jesus, Paul does not speak of “the God Christ Jesus”.

8.2 Differences Between God And Jesus

Differences Between God And JesusGOD“God cannot be

tempted” (James 1:13).

God cannot die - He is immortal by nature (Ps. 90:2; 1 Tim. 6:16).

God cannot be seen by men (1 Tim. 6:16; Ex. 33:20).

JESUSChrist “was in all points

tempted like as we are” (Heb. 4:15).

Christ died and was in the grave for three days (Mt. 12:40; 16:21). He was once under the “dominion” of death (Rom. 6:9).

Men saw Jesus and handled him (1 Jn. 1:1 emphasises this).

8.3 The Nature Of Jesus

Tempted Like Us“We have not an high priest which cannot be

touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like us” (Heb. 4:15).

The desires which are the basis of our temptations come from within us (Mk. 7:15-23), from within our human nature (James 1:13-15). It was necessary, therefore, that Christ should be of human nature so that he could experience and overcome these temptations.

Of Our Nature CompletelyHeb. 2:14-18 : “As the children (us) are partakers

of flesh and blood (human nature), he (Christ) also himself likewise partook of the same (nature); that through death he might destroy...the devil...For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the (nature of the) seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it was appropriate that he be made like unto his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest... to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted”.

“Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God” (Mk. 10:17,18).

Jesus “Knew all, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (Jn. 2:23-25)

8.4 The Humanity Of Jesus

Jesus was weary, and had to sit down to drink from a well (Jn 4:6).

“Jesus wept” at the death of Lazarus (Jn. 11:35).He “prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible,

let this cup (of suffering and death) pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as you will” (Mt. 26:39). This indicates that at times Christ’s fleshly desires were different from those of God.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46).

The Growth of Jesus“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature (i.e.

spiritual maturity, cp. Eph. 4:13), and in favour with God and man” (Lk. 2:52).

“The child grew, and became strong in spirit” (Lk. 2:40).

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience (i.e. obedience to God) by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect (i.e. spiritually mature), he became the author of eternal salvation” as a result of his completed and total spiritual growth (Heb. 5:8,9).

CHRIST’S NEED OF SALVATION

Jesus “offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him (God) that was able to save him from death, and was heard for his piety” (Heb. 5:7). The fact that Christ had to plead with God to save him from death rules out any possibility of him being God in person.

After Christ’s resurrection, death had “no more dominion over him” (Rom. 6:9), implying that beforehand it did.

“God...raised up Jesus...Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour” (Acts 5:30,31).

“God...has glorified his Son Jesus...whom God has raised from the dead” (Acts 3:13,15).

8.5 The Relationship Of God With Jesus

“The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3).

Thus “Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3:23).“The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1

Pet. 1:3; Eph. 1:17) even after Christ’s ascension to heaven.

“The temple of my God...the name of my God...the city of my God” (Rev. 3:12). This proves that Jesus even now thinks of the Father as his God. He spoke of ascending “unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (Jn. 20:17).

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STUDY 8: Questions

1.  Does the Bible teach that God is a trinity?

  2.  List three differences between God

and Jesus.   3.  Jesus was different from us

because: He never sinned He was God’s own begotten son He could never have sinned He was automatically made righteous by

God   4.  In which of the following ways was

Jesus similar to God? He had God’s nature in his life on earth He had a perfect character like God He knew as much as God He was directly equal to God

5.  In which of the following ways was Jesus like us?

He had all of our temptations and human experiences

He sinned while a young child He needed salvation He had human nature   6.  Which of the following statements

are true? Jesus was of a perfect nature and

perfect character Jesus was of sinful nature but perfect

character Jesus was both very God and very man Jesus had the nature of Adam before he

sinned   7.  Was it possible for Jesus to sin?