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Articles
The Dual Nature of Jesus
Let's study about the dual nature of Jesus: Son of Man - Son of God. Son of Man- The phrase "Son of man" is found 89 times in the new testament, all but one has reference to Jesus Christ. This expression emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. The Savior has a dual nature: the Son of man, his humanity; the Son of God, his Deity. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Jn.1:14. The phrase "was made" shows a point of beginning. Jesus was born physically of the virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. The inward person was eternal for he was God, Jn.1:1-3. Now notice Heb.2:16-18, "For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 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. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Truly Jesus took on the nature of men to live in a body of flesh. Some denied this truth in the 1st century, "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." 2 John 7. If we fail to grasp the human side of Jesus, we will have a warped view of the Messiah. Son of God- Jesus is the Son of God, a phrase that emphasizes his Deity, his Godhood. This phrase is found 47 times in the N.T., 46 times it refers to Jesus. John affirms the Deity of Jesus in Jn.1:1-3; "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Consider Paul's statement in Col.2:9, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Godhead or Godhood is the state of being God. (Like manhood is the state of being man.) Paul affirms the Divinity (and humanity) of Jesus in Phil.2:6-8, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." This word "form" carries the idea of being identified with the nature, being, personality of God. He also came and took the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Because Jesus is God, he has the right, the power to speak and command. We need to listen to all that he says. We can fully trust and expect him to fulfill all his promises. If we fail to grasp the Divine side Jesus we will have a warped view of the Messiah. Have you fully trusted in Jesus the Son of God? Have you obeyed him?
