Man is not God.
Nor can men become God (Isaiah 44:6).
But God became a man (Philippians 2). Let that sink in!
It was God’s plan from eternity past (1 Peter 1:19-21).
“but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:19-21
Yes, God became a man. Jesus came down from Heaven in the most humble of ways — as a baby. And while he added upon himself a fully human nature (Is 9:6; Phlp 2), it’s important to remember that he never stopped being God.
It was Jesus’ mission to be the “second Adam” (1 Cor 15) — tempted as Adam was (and as we are) but without sin. Jesus lived a sinless life on behalf of all of humanity. Friends, Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law, he came to “fulfill” it! (Matt 5). Something only God could do!
“Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48 You are witnesses of these things.’”
— Jesus (Luke 24:44-48)
The Judge of every soul was judged on our behalf (Isaiah 53:5-6; Jn 5). The good Shepherd willingly laid his life down for his sheep (Jn 10; Matt 26:24). His righteous work — as a substitute for our sin-stained works (2 Cor 5:21). All of this was planned! It was Jesus’ mission!
“The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
— Jesus (Matthew 26:24)
Friends, this good news God has given humanity is not a myth… It took place in real time and space (AD 33). It can be examined, historically. And it has tremendous purpose — our Salvation! What God has done for us is the greatest act of love humanity has ever witnessed! It was not deserved. Nor can it be earned. It is a free gift of God to us (Eph 2:1-9).
“He suffered as God because only God had the power to save; He suffered as Man because only man owed the debt.” – Michael Horton
Hold Fast Apologetics 