In this episode of "A Word from the Vine," we delve into the concept of the hypostatic union. We explore how Jesus is both fully God and fully human, and how this is a crucial aspect of our faith.
One example of Jesus' divine nature can be found in John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." This passage emphasizes the pre-existence of Jesus and His role in the creation of the world. It highlights Jesus' divine nature and shows us that He is God incarnate.
On the other hand, we see Jesus' human nature in passages like Hebrews 2:14-18: "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." This passage emphasizes that Jesus became fully human, with flesh and blood, and experienced everything that we do as humans. He was subject to temptation and suffering, but remained sinless, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Understanding the hypostatic union helps us to grasp the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. He willingly took on the punishment that we deserved, as both fully God and fully human, in order to reconcile us to God. This is why we can have confidence in our salvation and eternal life with Him.
Let us continue to meditate on the hypostatic union and all that it represents for our faith. May we be strengthened in our understanding and appreciation of Jesus as fully God and fully human, and the perfect sacrifice for our sins. I'm Pastor Loren Christensen, and this has been "A Word from the Vine."
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