..in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
This is another important distinctive feature of Christ's humanity. He was different from us because of His impeccability. Was it because He deliberately abstained from sin? Or is it because through much spiritual exercise or meditation, He got a special power to live a holy life? There are even some who argue that Christ became holy by withstanding much temptation, He purposely chose not to do any evil. We must understand that Christ's sinlessness doesn't mean that He could have sinned but withstood all the temptation and successfully lived a holy life. The Bible says He could not have sinned at all. Notice what the writers say about it:-
Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth . 1Peter.2:22
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us... 2Corinthians.5:21
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there was no sin. 1John.3:5.
Notice the terminology particularly: committed no sin , knew no sin , and in Him there was no sin. These are not just assumptions. Peter who closely watched the actions of Christ for three and a half years, John who used to stay very close to Christ for a similar period and scholarly Paul who vigilantly examined the life of Christ, testifies the Lord Jesus Christ was absolutely holy in His whole being.
In His actions and attitude there was nothing that was evil. He never had a need to change His word or plan, nor apologize for an error that crept in. He could boldly challenge people to show any iniquity in His life. Which of you convicts Me of sin? John. 8:46. No body could ever point out a finger against the Lord Jesus Christ. In John. 14:30 we read Him saying, ...the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me . Yes, devil had nothing in the Lord Jesus Christ for He is of heaven, the Son of God.
Attested by even the unbelievers:-
Pilate the governor: I find no fault in Him at all. John. 18:38
Pilate's Wife: Have nothing to do with that just Man . Matthew 27:19
The thief on the cross: This Man has done nothing wrong . Luke 23:41
The Centurion: Certainly this was a righteous Man. Luke 23:47
Judas who betrayed the Lord: I have sinned by betraying innocent blood . Matthew. 27:4
All of them commented on Christ after having personal experience with Him. They were so convinced of His spotless life. Writer of the book of Hebrews sums it up: For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens
Hebrews 7:26
Then, what was the use of the temptation of Christ?
There could be some who is asking such a question.
If Christ had no sin in Himself, and He could not have sinned, what is the meaning in tempting Him?
We should realize that Christ was tempted not to see, if He would sin, but to prove that He would not commit sin. In the Garden of Eden Adam was created perfect. He faced temptation in that perfect environment and yielded. But Christ, in the similar perfect stage, did not yield to temptation. Matthew. 4:111. We believe He could not have yielded either.
Was it then an easy exercise? Never! Yielding is easier that resisting. The Lord who is with out any sin, who could not commit any evil, faced the temptation in its full force. Where as Adam gave himself to devil before even facing the full power of it! The Lord Jesus Christ faced the horribleness of sin more than any body else, because He could not succumb to it.
It is this sinlessness of Christ that makes Him our perfect Saviour.
3. Untied to a divine person.
This is another unique feature of Christ's humanity. Our existence begins with our birth. We possess only one nature, which is of human. But the Lord Jesus Christ eternally existing God- assumed a human nature which He never had. While doing that He did not forsake His divinity, nor did He become a mixture of God-Man. He was fully God and fully Man at the same time. In other word there were two perfect natures in the same person.
While sleeping on board the ship we see His perfect humanity, immediately after that we see Him rebuking the wind and calming waves. There was His divinity at display. In His human nature He wept seeing the terrible state of death and the sorrow of the dear ones at the tomb of Lazarus, at the same time we see Him as perfect God, raising Lazarus from the dead.
Thus we see both the natures were mixed together in a unique manner. And the wonderful thing is this that the Lord still has the same personality. Of course His humanity is in the glorified state today. (Philippians.3:21) Today at the right of God He is seated as our mediator and representative.
