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Chapter 150

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150.000.000       Torrey: p89

THE HUMAN NATURE
OF JESUS CHRIST

150.010.000       Torrey: p89, T:I
Topic 10:   Human names.

150.010.010       Torrey: p89, T:I, P:1
POINT 10:   Jesus Christ is called man even after His ascension.

      1 Timothy 2:5-6 [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all men -- the testimony given in its proper time.

150.010.020       Torrey: p89, T:I, P:2
POINT 20:   Jesus is called the Son of Man (77 times). Stephen spoke of Him as the Son of Man even when he saw Him in the glory standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55)

150.020.000       Torrey: p89, T:II
Topic 20:   Human physical nature.

150.020.010       Torrey: p89, T:II, P:1
POINT 10:   The Eternal Word was made flesh, experienced being flesh and blood. Jesus Christ had a true human body.

      John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

      Hebrews 2:14-15 [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

   Note 1: The denial of the reality of Christ's body is the mark of the spirit of the anti-Christ.

      1 John 4:2-3 [2] This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

   Note 2: The indwelling divine glory sometimes shone through and transfigured the veil of flesh.

      Matthew 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

150.020.020       Torrey: p90, T:II, P:2
POINT 20:   Jesus Christ had a true human body after his resurrection.

      Luke 24:39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.

      John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

150.020.030       Torrey: p90, T:II, P:3
POINT 30:   Jesus Christ still has a human body in the glory. He shall come again on the clouds of heaven as "the Son of Man".

      Acts 7:55-56 [55] But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [56] "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

      Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

      Matthew 26:64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

   Note: At His coming, our bodies will be transformed into the likeness of His own:

      Philippians 3:20-21 [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

150.030.000       Torrey: p90, T:III
Topic 30:   Human parentage.

150.030.010       Torrey: p91, T:III, P:1
POINT 10:   Jesus had a human parentage and a human ancestry. He was Mary's son and David's seed.

      Luke 2:6-7 [6] While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, [7] and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

      Acts 2:30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

      Acts 13:23 From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.

      Romans 1:1-4 [1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God -- [2] the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures [3] regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, [4] and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

      Galatians 4:4-5 [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

      Hebrews 7:14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

   Mary was as truly the mother of Jesus Christ as Jehovah was His Father.

150.040.000       Torrey: p91, T:IV
Topic 40:   Human limitations.

150.040.005       Torrey: p93, T:I
POINT 5:   The incarnate Jesus Christ was subject to the intellectual and moral limitations essential to human nature.

   Note: Men commit sin not because man is inherently evil, but because all men except Jesus have been infected with sin. Sinning is not an inherent characteristic of being human. If it were, Jesus could not have become fully human, since He is also God and by His very nature God cannot sin. When this Point says the incarnate Jesus had "moral limitations", it does not mean that He sinned. It means that He felt the same sinful temptations and desires as other men. The difference is that He did not give in to those temptations and desires. See, e.g., the temptation in the Wilderness described in Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1- 11.

150.040.010       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1
POINT 10:   The incarnate Jesus Christ was subject to weariness, hunger, thirst, agony and death - to the physical limitations of human nature.

   Because Jesus is God, many people believe that He didn't feel pain as much as a "real" human or that He could control pain. There is no indication of this in the Bible.

150.040.010a       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1a
POINT 10a:   The incarnate Jesus Christ became weary.

      John 4:6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

   Contrast this with Isaiah's description of the Deity's spiritual traits:

      Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

150.040.010b       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1b
POINT 10b:   The incarnate Jesus slept.

      Matthew 8:24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

      Contrast this with: Psalms 121:4- 5 [3] He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber; [4] indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The LORD watches over you -- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

150.040.010c       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1c
POINT 10c:   The incarnate Jesus Christ became hungry.

      Matthew 21:18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.

150.040.010d       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1d
POINT 10d:   The incarnate Jesus Christ became thirsty.

      John 19:28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."

150.040.010e       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1e
POINT 10e:   The incarnate Jesus Christ suffered physical agony.

      Luke 22:44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

150.040.010f       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:1f
POINT 10f:   The incarnate Jesus Christ died.

      1 Corinthians 15:3-5 [3] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.

   Note: The phrase "according to the Scriptures" is not similar to "according to the newspaper." It means "in fulfillment of the Scriptures."

150.040.010g       Torrey: no
POINT 10g:   The incarnate Jesus Christ could not raise Himself from the dead.

      Acts 4:10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

150.040.012       Torrey: no
POINT 12:   The incarnate Jesus Christ felt fear and anxiety. Due to His anointing with the Holy Spirit it was not fear of the unknown future, but rather, fear of the agony He knew was to come.

      Matthew 26:38-39, 42 [38] Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." [39] Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." [42] He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

   Note: It is sometimes said, and even sometimes taught by ministers, that shortly before He died, Christ's human side 'broke through' for a short time, that He regretted going to the point of death, and that He felt the Father had abandoned Him. This is based on the following passage:

      Matthew 27:46-47, 49- 50 [46] About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" -- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" [47] When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." [49] The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

   In reality, this was His final act of teaching before His death -- final evidence before His Resurrection that He was indeed the Messiah promised by Jehovah, whose death had been prophesied in detail centuries before:

      Psalms 22:1, 6-8, 11, 14-20, 22 [1] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

      [6] But I am [being treated like] a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. [7] All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: [8] "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." [11] Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. [14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. [15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. [16] Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. [17] I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. [18] They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. [19] But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. [20] Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

      Confer John 8:29, 42 [29] The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.

150.040.020       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:2
POINT 20:   The knowledge of Jesus Christ was subject to limitations. He had human intellectual and moral limitations.

   See the discussion at page 122 explaining the term "moral limitations" in this context.

150.040.020a       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:2a
POINT 20a:   Jesus Christ grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. He was subject to human conditions of physical, mental and moral growth.

      Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

      Mark 11:13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.

      Mark 13:32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

      Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

      John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. As a teacher, Jesus was divinely and fully inspired so that he spoke "the words of God."

   The indwelling Divine Nature often burst through the veil of flesh (see passages under Chapter 10), but as a man he was a real man in his mental make-up.

150.040.030       Torrey: p92, T:IV, P:3
POINT 30:   Jesus Christ was tempted. He was subject to the essential moral limitations of human nature.

      Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - - yet was without sin.

      Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

      Compare James 1:13-14 [13] When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

   Note 1: A carnal nature is not an essential part of human nature. It does not belong to human nature as God made it. It is what has become part of human nature by sin.

      Hebrews 2:14-15 [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

      Philippians 2:5-8 [5] Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!

   Jesus Christ was self-limited in His moral limitations. He voluntarily placed Himself under the essential moral limitations that man is under in order to redeem man.

150.040.035       Torrey: no
POINT 35:   Jesus felt the attraction of temptation much as any other man feels it.

      Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - - yet was without sin.

      Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

      Compare James 1:13 [13] When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

   In this last excerpt it is important to understand the phrase "God cannot be tempted by evil." It does not mean that Satan cannot make an attempt; rather, it means that Satan's overtures hold no attraction for God. On the other hand, "we have one who has been tempted" means that Jesus did feel attracted by Satan's temptations. However, He resisted those temptations. He was tempted, but did not sin.

150.040.010       Torrey: p93, T:IV, P:1
POINT 10:   Jesus Christ prayed (mentioned 25 times). He obtained power for work and for moral victory as other men do, by prayer. He was subject to human conditions for obtaining what He desired.

      Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

      Luke 22:41-45 [41] He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, [42] "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." [43] An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. [44] And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [45] When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

      Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

150.040.020       Torrey: p94, T:IV, P:2
POINT 20:   Jesus Christ obtained power for His divine works not by His inherent Divinity but by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He was subject to the same conditions of power as other men.

      Acts 10:37-38 [37] You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached -- [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

150.040.030       Torrey: p94, T:IV, P:3
POINT 30:   Jesus Christ was subject to limitations in the exercise of power during the days of His humiliation.

      John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

150.050.000       Torrey: p94, T:2nd IV
Topic 50:   The Incarnate Jesus Bore the Relation of Man to God.

150.050.010       Torrey: p94, T:2nd IV, P:1
POINT 10:   Jesus Christ called the Father "My God."

      John 20:17 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

   While on Earth, Jesus Christ bore the relation of man to God the Father. The Father did not treat Christ as "God disguised as a man" or even "the boss's son."

150.060.000       Torrey: p94, T:V
Topic 60:   Jesus Christ was human in every respect.

150.060.010       Torrey: p94, T:IV, P:1
POINT 10:   Jesus Christ was made "in all things" like His brethren, subject to all the physical, mental, and moral conditions of existence essential to human nature.

150.060.012       Torrey: p95, T:V, P:General
POINT 12:   Jesus Christ was in every respect a real man. He became so voluntarily, to redeem man.

      Philippians 2:5-8 [5] Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!

      2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

150.060.014       Torrey: p95, T:V, P:General
POINT 14:   Jesus Christ took on human nature so that we might partake of the Divine nature.

      2 Peter 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

   QUESTION: How shall we reconcile the Bible doctrine of the true Deity of Jesus Christ with the Bible doctrine of the real human nature of Christ?

   ANSWER: That is not the main goal of this volume. Our first goal is to find out what the various passages mean in their natural grammatical interpretation. Then if we can reconcile them, well; if not, believe them both and leave the reconciliation to increasing knowledge. It is a thoroughly vicious principle of interpretation that we must interpret every passage in the Bible so that we can readily reconcile it with every other passage. This gives rise to a one-sided theology. One man becomes a one-sided Calvinist and another a one-sided Arminian, and so on through the whole gamut of doctrine.

   The purpose of this book is to understand the plainly intended sense of the passage in hand as determined by usage of words, grammatical construction and context. Remember that in many cases two truths that seemed utterly irreconcilable or perfectly contradictory to us once are now, with increased knowledge, seen to beautifully harmonize. Truths that still seem to us to be contradictory perfectly harmonize in the infinite wisdom of God, and will someday perfectly harmonize in our minds, when we approach more nearly to God's omniscience. How fearlessly the Bible puts the Deity and manhood of Jesus Christ in closest juxtaposition.

      Matthew 8:24-26 [24] Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. [25] The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" [26] He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

      Luke 3:21-22 [21] When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

      John 11:38, 43-44 [38] Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. [43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" [44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

      Luke 9:28-29, 35 [28] About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. [29] As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. [35] A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."

      Matthew 16:16-17, 21 [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. [21] From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

      Hebrews 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

      Compare Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

      Hebrews 4:14-15 [14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - - yet was without sin.

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