Why the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Matters
The question of who Jesus Christ truly is has shaped Christian theology from the earliest days of the Church. One of the most significant moments in this debate occurred at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, convened to address the teachings of Arius of Alexandria. Arius argued that Jesus Christ was more than human but not fully divine, a view that threatened the heart of Christian faith.
In response, the Church formulated the Nicene Creed, affirming that Jesus Christ is “true God from true God”—fully divine, yet distinct from the Father. Despite this historic declaration, questions surrounding the humanity and divinity of Jesus continue to surface, even among Christians today.
This article examines the biblical testimony to Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine, a profound mystery at the heart of Christian faith. As Jesus himself affirmed, recognizing his true identity requires divine revelation, not merely human reasoning (Matthew 16:17).
Also Read The Authority of Scripture: Why Christians Should Pray Using the Scripture
The Humanity of Jesus Christ
Jesus Was Truly Born as a Human Being
The New Testament presents Jesus as unmistakably human. The Gospels record that Jesus was conceived and born of a woman, experiencing a normal human birth. Luke writes, “While they were there, the time came for her to give birth” (Luke 2:6). Mary’s pregnancy followed the natural course of human gestation, complete with labour pains, which emphasizes the reality of Christ’s humanity.
Luke further notes that Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:52), highlighting his physical and intellectual development—something only true of human beings.
Jesus Experienced Human Limitations
Throughout his earthly life, Jesus displayed ordinary human limitations:
-
Hunger: After fasting for forty days, Jesus was hungry (Luke 4:2), making him vulnerable to temptation, just as humans are (James 1:14).
-
Weariness: Jesus grew tired from his journey and rested at Jacob’s well (John 4:6).
-
Sleep: While Scripture teaches that God does not sleep (Psalm 121:4), Jesus slept in the boat during the storm (Mark 4:38).
These experiences confirm that Jesus did not merely appear human—he truly shared in human weakness.
Jesus Expressed Human Emotions
Jesus also experienced deep human emotions. He wept at the death of Lazarus (John 11:35), demonstrating compassion and grief. On the cross, he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), expressing anguish and abandonment—emotions profoundly human in nature.
Did Jesus Have a Fallen Human Nature?
Some theologians have debated whether Jesus assumed a fallen human nature. Scripture does not explicitly state whether Jesus ever experienced sickness. While some suggest he shared in fallen humanity, others argue that although Jesus was fully human, he was without sin. As Hebrews affirms, he was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
The Divinity of Jesus Christ
While Jesus lived as a true human, the Gospels also reveal his divine identity.
Jesus Claimed Divine Authority
Unlike Old Testament prophets who declared, “Thus says the Lord,” Jesus spoke with personal authority. He declared, “I have come” (Luke 12:49; Mark 2:17), indicating divine mission and self-awareness. Jesus identified himself as sent by God, stating, “Whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37).
Jesus Performed Miracles by His Own Authority
Jesus did not invoke God’s name when performing miracles; instead, he acted in his own authority. He commanded demons, healed the sick, and forgave sins (Mark 1:25; Mark 2:9), actions that Scripture attributes to God alone.
Jesus Knew the Human Heart
Scripture repeatedly shows Jesus knowing people’s thoughts and intentions before they spoke. This divine insight aligns with God’s own declaration that humans see outward appearances, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Jesus Was Worshiped as God
After the resurrection, the apostle Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), echoing Israel’s confession of faith (Deuteronomy 6:4). This moment is one of the clearest affirmations of Jesus’ divinity in the New Testament.
The apostle Paul also consistently distinguishes between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, applying divine titles to Jesus in his greetings (1 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 1:3).
Jesus Exercised Authority Over Sacred Institutions
Jesus claimed authority over:
-
The Sabbath (Mark 2:27–28)
-
The Temple (Matthew 21:12–13)
-
The Law (Matthew 5:21–24)
Such authority would have been unthinkable unless Jesus understood himself as more than a teacher or prophet.
Conclusion: Fully God and Fully Human
The biblical evidence leads to a clear and balanced conclusion: Jesus Christ is fully human and fully divine. His humanity allowed him to identify with human suffering, temptation, and weakness, while his divinity affirmed his authority to forgive sins, reveal God, and bring salvation.
The two natures of Christ are not in competition, nor is one superior to the other. Together, they form the foundation of Christian faith and hope. As the Nicene Creed affirms, Jesus Christ is true God and true man, a mystery that invites worship rather than reduction.