1. Christ was in the form of God.
Phi 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being
in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in
the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of all creation.
A. He was God. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.
Heb 1:8,10 But to
the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of
righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. 10 And: “You, LORD, in the
beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of
Your hands.
B. He was holy. Lk 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The
Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow
you; therefore, also, that Holy One (a{gion) who is to be born will be
called the Son of God.
C. He was begotten. Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did He ever
say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him
a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”?
John 1:18 No one
has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the
Father, He has declared Him.
D. He was worshipped. Heb 1:6 But when He again brings the firstborn
into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
2. He became a man. 1 Jo 4:2-3
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus
Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not
confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the
spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already
in the world.
Phi 2:7 but made Himself
of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming (genovmeno”) in the likeness of men.
Heb 2:14 Inasmuch then as
the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in
the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death,
that is, the devil.
A. So He could be tempted. Heb 2:18 For in that He Himself has
suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Heb 4:15 For we do
not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in
all points tempted as we are (pepeirasmevnon deV kataV pavnta kaq· oJmoiovthta), yet without sin.
B. So He could be made perfect through suffering. Heb 2:10 For it
was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in
bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect
through sufferings.
C. So He could die for sins. 1 Pet 1:18-19 knowing that you were not
redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless
conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Heb 5:8-9 though
He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And
having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who
obey Him.
D. So He could be compassionate. Heb 2:17 Therefore, in all things
He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful
High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of
the people.
3. Could He sin?
A. Because He was God, He could not sin.
1. Could God die? 1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered to
you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures.
2. Could God feel separated from Himself?
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You
forsaken Me?”
B. Because He was God, He would not sin.
1. Was His will always the same as the
Father’s? Mat 26:39-44 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and
prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from
Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." 40 Then He came to the
disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not
watch with Me one hour? 41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42
Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if
this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He
left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
John 5:30
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous,
because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
John 6:38
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of
Him who sent Me.
Mark
14:35-36 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that
if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, "Abba,
Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me;
nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
C. Because He was God, Christ could not be tempted by evil. Jam 1:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. If He could sin yesterday, He could sin
forever. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.