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Pursue the Mystery and Glory of the Incarnation

shutterstock_314530610It is said that as Philip Melanchthon, the longtime associate of Martin Luther, was on his death bed he took a piece of paper and began to write down the reasons why he was not sorry for leaving the present world. Among the reasons he listed were that he would finally be able to understand the mysteries of this life that confound him so and that he would finally learn fully the union of the two natures of Christ. I picked out these 2 reasons to highlight the theological curiosity that drove many of our grandparents in the faith. They daily meditated upon, wrestled with, and sought to better understand God and his word—even the difficult stuff.

As we come upon the season of Advent we have a particular opportunity to give ourselves to such thoughtful meditation. Have you given much thought to the union of the two natures of Christ?

In effort to stimulate thoughtful worship, I’ll try to state the matter briefly and pray that God makes it rest profoundly upon your heart.

Doctrine Stated

The doctrine of the two natures of Christ refers to the union of his nature as fully God and wholly man. This means that Jesus was 100% human (Phil. 2:5-7; Heb. 2:6, 16; etc) and 100% divine (Col. 1:15-20, 2:9). Perhaps the most clear reference to this doctrine is stated in John’s gospel:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

In Christ then resides the perfect union of two natures, divine and human. As Calvin said these are “two natures united but not mingled”. Mystery of mysteries indeed.

Why it is so profound

This is profound because it is utterly without precedent or parallel. It has no similar example for us to compare it. The incarnation of God stands alone in its manifold profundity. It is meant to obliterate our categories and provoke us to cover our mouths and gasp for our God-given breath. God became a man.

Why it is so precious

Here are some basic reasons:

1) Without this we would be eternally lost.

As Calvin said, “The situation would surely have been hopeless had the very majesty of God not descended to us, since it was not in our power to ascend to him. Hence, it was necessary for the son of God to become for us ‘Immanuel, that is, God with us” (Isa. 7:14; Mat. 1:23).”

2) In the incarnation God identifies with us.

The representative or mediator that we needed could not come from anyone else and the work that he was to do could not be done by anyone else. God became man so that he could identify with and unite to us. He had to become one with us.

3) Through the incarnation God satisfies the Law’s requirements.

Christ, the last Adam, comes to obey fully the law that we have all disobeyed. In his obedience, even unto death, Christ discharges his duty as the law-keeper. In this perfect, sinless, obedience he earns sufficient righteousness to be charged to our bankrupt account.

4) Through the incarnation God reconciles us to himself.

Christ had to become man so he could bear our load (identity). But he had to be God in order that he would have the power to sufficiently pay our debt (atonement). Again Calvin is throwing strikes,

It was his task to swallow up death. Who but the Life could do this? It was his task to conquer sin. Who but very righteousness could do this? It was his task to to rout the powers of the world and air. Who but a power higher than world and air could do this?

Conclusion

Think about this: “In short, since neither as God alone could he feel death, nor as man alone could he overcome it, he coupled human nature with divine that to atone for sin he might submit the weakness of the one to death; and that, wrestling with death by the power of the other nature, he might win victory for us.”

This might be my absolute favorite paragraph in all of John Calvin’s writings. He has put his finger on something glorious hasn’t he?

This Christmas season don’t let yourself or your friends settle for any consideration of the incarnation that does not bring some degree of marvel. Christ did not come to unite his divinity to humanity in order that we would be underwhelmed by him. May it never be! Consider the glorious beauty, humility, and power of the incarnation. Like Melanchthon, you will never outrun its profundity in this life even as it makes you long for the age to come!

Calvin quotes from Institutes for the Christian Religion Book 2, Chapters 12-15

Image via Shutterstock

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