Welcome back, my dear friends. Throughout the past six lessons, we’ve learned:
1. The role the Son of God played in the Trinity.
2. The Covenant of Redemption between God the Father and God the Son.
3. The work of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit in Creation.
4. The Covenant of Grace between God the Father and man.
5. Jesus’ appearances in the Old Testament.
6. The Humanity of Christ, which is referred to as the State of Humiliation of Christ.
7. Understanding the Deity of Christ.
8. The meaning of the Hypostatic Union of Jesus.
These lessons were designed to teach us what the Scriptures say about the God/man. I pray that they’ve expanded your knowledge and love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In this lesson, I want to take a different approach and focus on the importance of the Incarnation of the God/man. I’m going to talk about God’s love for His creation and the extent He went to to show that love toward us.
Although the word, Incarnation (God becomes flesh), does not appear in Scripture, the church has used the term to refer to the fact that Jesus was God in human flesh.
The Incarnation of Jesus is a central and foundational doctrine in Christianity, referring to the belief that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, became fully human while remaining fully divine.
The scriptural proof for the birth of Christ is very extensive in the New Testament.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. Galatians 4:4-5 (NASB)
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NASB)
When God the Son became human, he had a human mother, yet no human father. A virgin conceived Him by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and He was born without sin.
The virgin birth of Christ is mind-boggling. Yet it is necessary for our salvation. We must believe it happened because God says it did. We must proclaim it even though we cannot fully comprehend or explain it.
Listen to what the Apostles saw and experienced because of the Incarnation of Christ.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1 – 4
This belief holds deep theological and spiritual significance for us. Here are some of the key reasons why the Incarnation is so important:
God Becoming Visible:
In the Incarnation, God reveals Himself in a tangible, relatable form — Jesus — as the Word made flesh.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14(NIV)
This is the fullest and most direct revelation of God’s nature, love and purpose. While God had previously communicated through prophets and the Scriptures, Jesus as the God/man provides a more personal and intimate revelation.
Understanding God’s Nature:
Through Jesus’ actions, teachings and compassion, believers come to understand more about God’s character— His love, mercy, justice and holiness. God identifies with human experience in a unique and intimate way. Jesus not only experienced joy, friendship and love but also hardship, temptation, suffering and death. The writer of Hebrews states,
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15(NIV)
This shows that God doesn’t just observe human suffering from afar but has entered fully into it.
The Bridge Between Humanity and God:
The Incarnation is central to our understanding of salvation. Humanity, separated from God by sin, is reconciled through Jesus’ perfect life, sacrificial death and resurrection. By becoming human, Jesus represents all of humanity, allowing Him to atone for human sin.
Jesus, as the “new Adam,” succeeded where Adam failed. Where Adam brought sin and death into the world, Jesus brings life, righteousness and reconciliation.
12 Sin came into the world because of what one man did. And with sin came death. So this is why all people must die—because all people have sinned. 13 Sin was in the world before the Law of Moses. But God does not consider people guilty of sin if there is no law. 14 But from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, everyone had to die. Adam died because he sinned by not obeying God’s command. But even those who did not sin that same way had to die.
That one man, Adam, can be compared to Christ, the one who was coming in the future. 15 But God’s free gift is not like Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But the grace that people received from God was much greater. Many received God’s gift of life by the grace of this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 After Adam sinned once, he was judged guilty. But the gift of God is different. His free gift came after many sins, and it makes people right with him. 17 One man sinned, and so death ruled all people because of that one man. But now some people accept God’s full grace and his great gift of being made right. Surely they will have true life and rule through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18 So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life. 19 One man disobeyed God and many became sinners. But in the same way, one man obeyed God and many will be made right. Romans 5:12-19 (ERV)
His obedience to the Father even unto death reverses the effects of the Fall.
God’s Love Demonstrated in Action:
The Incarnation is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for humanity.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slaveand was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)
It is said that Jesus “emptied himself” and took on human form, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This act of humility and self-sacrifice exemplifies the depth of God’s love and His willingness to enter into human suffering.
The fact that God chose to take on human flesh emphasizes His desire for a close, intimate relationship with humanity. Jesus shared in the full range of human experiences — joy, sorrow, pain, and even death — making Him a compassionate and empathetic Savior.
Jesus as the Perfect Human Example:
Jesus’ life and actions serve as the model for how humans should live in obedience to God. His teachings on love, humility, forgiveness and service to others are seen as the blueprint for our lives.
We are called to “imitate Christ,” and this is possible because Jesus lived as a human. His human experiences, temptations and struggles serve as examples that believers can follow.
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his footsteps. 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)
Transformation of Human Relationships:
The Incarnation teaches us how we should relate to others. Since God became human, every human life has an inherent dignity and is deserving of love, respect and care.
This belief drives our moral ethics, particularly in areas such as social justice, care for the poor and the defense of human rights. It exemplifies self-giving love. We are called to imitate this selfless love, serving others with the same humility and compassion that Jesus showed.
Jesus also underscores the importance of fellowship with others. Just as Jesus entered into the human condition, we are called to be present with others, particularly those who are suffering. This idea should inspire us to undertake countless acts of compassion, from caring for the sick and poor to advocating for the oppressed.
Messianic Expectations:
The Incarnation fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. For example,
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virginwill conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
Jesus’ birth, life and ministry are seen as the fulfillment of centuries of anticipation in Jewish Scripture.
The Defeat of Death and Evil:
By becoming human, Jesus entered into death and conquered it through His resurrection. This defeat of death is central to our hope and faith, assuring believers of eternal life and the ultimate victory over sin, death and the powers of evil.
Christ as the Conqueror of Evil:
The Incarnation also marks the beginning of the defeat of the powers of evil. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus overcomes Satan and the forces of darkness which have held humanity in bondage since the Fall.
15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
The Final Conclusion:
The Incarnation also ties into our belief in the new creation. In the Book of Revelation, the final vision of God’s kingdom is one in which God dwells with His people in a new heaven and new earth
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[ 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:1-4 (NLT)
The Incarnation is the beginning of this process of God dwelling with humanity, and it will be fully realized with the (eschatology) end of the world as we know it.
The significance of the Incarnation is the foundation for understanding God’s deep love for humanity, how salvation is accomplished, and the lens through which we can understand the world, ethics and the ultimate purpose of life.
By becoming human, Jesus sanctified human nature, offered a perfect model for living, and made possible the reconciliation between God and humanity.
The Incarnation touches every aspect of Christian theology — God’s nature, human salvation, the meaning of life and the destiny of creation. The belief that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ is seen as a profound mystery, revealing the depth of God’s love and the lengths He would go to redeem and restore His creation.
The Incarnation reveals not only who Jesus is but also who humans are called to be — participants in the divine life, transformed by God’s grace, and destined for eternal communion with Him. It is the heart of the Christian mystery and the source of endless wonder, devotion and hope.
Thus declares The Scriptures: “He hath left us an example that we should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21)
Until next time, my friends, when we will dive into God’s Holy Word and learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the God/man Jesus Christ, may Mercy, Peace and Love be multiplied to you.