The Humanity of Christ:- 4
B. THE UNIQUNESS OF CHRIST'S HUMANITY
His Humanity was certainly extra-ordinary. He was not simply like any one of us. Three things are noteworthy:-
1. Seed of the woman.
He was born of a virgin by a miraculous conception. It is an important aspect of teachings about the Lord Jesus Christ. Denying the virgin birth of Christ is a serious error. The word of God very clearly declares it.
i. Predicted in the Old Testament.
Genesis 3:15 . “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your heads, And you shall bruise His heel.” While pronouncing curse upon the serpent for its role in leading Adam and Eve to sin, God makes the promise of the Saviour who will defeat devil and his devices. Reference to the ‘seed of the woman' was definitely a biological miracle.
Another Old Testament prophecy to the virgin birth of Christ is found in Isaiah. 7:14. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Partially it was a sign to Ahaz the king of Judah but ultimately it has been fulfilled in Christ. Gospel writer Matthew writes like this, “So all this done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”, which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22, 23.
ii. New Testament teaching.
Mathew and Luke, the Gospel writers give considerable importance to the virgin birth of Christ.
Matthew narrates like this: - “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins……Then Joseph aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS” Matthew. 1:18 —25.
Notice what Mathew highlights: till the birth of Christ Joseph did not live with Mary as husband and wife. He was convinced that the child is of divine origin and willingly took care of Mary.
Dr. Luke who carefully researched (1:3, 4) his thesis writes, “ Now in the sixth month angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth , to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the hose of David. The virgin's name was Mary, …..but when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David…….…..” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Sprit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke.1:26—35.
As a medical doctor, Luke can not just write any blunder. If he had any doubt about the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, he would have definitely referred it, at least as a doctor and historian. Remember he is writing for a Greek official. 1:3, 4.
Luke was convinced after careful scrutiny, that it was only betrothal that took place, not actual marriage. Mary asks in wonder, “How is it possible?” All these references prove beyond doubt the miraculous conception, without the role of a man. It is amazing that God took care of this episode in arranging Joseph to care for Mary and the child.
Paul also attests to the virgin birth of Christ in Galatians 4:4. “ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law. ..”
Is it possible?
