Questions 22-23 of The New City Catechism and their answers are as follows:
Why must the Redeemer be truly human? Answer: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses.
Why must the Redeemer be truly God? Answer: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.
Since this is part of the bedrock of the Christian faith, we need to understand that Jesus is fully God and fully man and why this is important for salvation. Here is a brief explanation meant to help to that end.
Jesus Christ is fully God (Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:15, 19; 2:9; Heb. 1:3, 5-13) and fully man (Jn. 1:14; 19:17-34; 20:27; Phil. 2:7-8; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:15), which means all that makes up God makes up his divine nature and all that makes up humans makes up his human nature. The one distinction between Jesus and every other human is that Jesus was and is without sin (Lk. 1:35; Heb. 4:15; 7:26).
Regarding his divine nature, he has existed for all eternity as God, second person of the Godhead, and the eternally begotten Son of the Father (John 1:1, 18; 3:16; Col. 1:16-17). That means for all eternity he has existed at Son to the Father in the Trinity. Regarding his human nature, in these last days, for the salvation of the elect, he was conceived and born of Mary, the virgin (1:26-38; 2:1-14; Heb. 1:2). Though from the time of his conception onward into eternity future Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man in two distinct natures (Phil. 3:21; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:9; 7:25; 1 Jn. 4:2; 2 Jn. 7), these two natures are such that they are not confused or changed (the human nature remains fully human and the divine fully divine—without either being diminished or being taken over by the other). Compare Mt. 24:36 and Lk. 2:1-7 with Mk. 2:5 and Col. 1:17 for proof. What is more, his two natures cannot be divided or separated—he is always and at one and the same time fully God and fully man [compare Jn. 20:27 with 20:28]).
It is important
to salvation that Jesus Christ was and is fully human for the following
reasons:
(1) That he might obey perfectly the whole law of God on the behalf of sinners, which is required for those part of the kingdom of God (Ps. 15; Mt. 5:48; 7:21-23; John 5:19, 30; Gal. 3:10; James 2:10).
(2) That he might suffer the punishment of death for human sin on behalf of sinners (Rom. 6:23; 2 Tim. 1:10; Rev. 20:14-15).
(3) That he might be raised from and conquer death on behalf of sinners and thus serve as the pioneer and model for those who have been saved and persevere in salvation (Rom. 6:1-11; Heb. 2:9-18.
(4) That he might continually apply his saving work to his people as advocate and intercessor that that they can persevere in faith and so he can save them fully (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 2:9-18; 7:25).
(5) That, as the risen, conquering Savior he might receive and pour out richly upon his people the Holy Spirit by whom they are regenerated, sanctified, preserved, and transformed in accord with the New Covenant (Ezek. 36:25-27; John 3:1-8; Acts 2:33; Gal. 5:22-23; Titus 3:5-6).
It is important
to salvation that Jesus Christ was and is fully God for the following reasons:
(1) That his obedience and suffering would be complete and effective (Lk. 1:26-38).
(2) That he would be able to undergo the righteous wrath of the Father against sin and yet still overcome death (Acts 2:24).
(3) Salvation belongs to the Lord and so it must be God providing salvation and bringing God and man back together (Joel 2:32; Jonah 2:9; Rom. 10:13; Rev. 7:10).
(4) As the God-man he is qualified to reconcile God and humans (2 Cor. 5:14-21; Eph. 2:11-22; 1 Tim. 2:5).
Delighting In The God-Man, Our Savior, With You,
Tom
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