Was Jesus Christ a man?

Are you one of those people who remain unsure whether Jesus Christ was a man?

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas – His birth, let’s examine the humanity of Jesus, First and foremost, you need to know that Scripture emphasises the total humanity of Jesus Christ. That means that He was both God and man – however, I must stress that in His humanity, He was sinless. In His humanity, shared in the general condition of humankind, including suffering and death.

To find more about this, you will have to read and study the following:

Jesus Christ’s own claims:

Jn 8:40 ESV

“but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.”

Also read Mt 8:20 pp Lk 9:58

In statements made by others

Jn 19:5 ESV

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”

Also read Mt 8:27; Mk 15:39; Lk 23:47 the centurion; Lk 15:2 the Pharisees and teachers of the law; Lk 23:18; Jn 1:33; 4:42; 7:12,15 some Jews; Jn 7:27; 9:33; 11:47; Ac 2:22-23

Jesus Christ shared in the general condition of humanity

· Jesus assumed human nature

Jn 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[a] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The word “flesh” here not only speaks of a physical body but also of human nature.

Also read Php 2:7-8; Heb 2:14; 1Jn 4:2

· Jesus had a human descent

Ro 1:3

concerning his Son, who was descended from David[a] according to the flesh

He was a descendant of King David

Also read Mt1:1; 13:54-56; Mk 6:2-3; Ro 9:5

· Jesus had a normal body which could be handled and touched with human hands

1Jn 1:1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life

Also read Mt 14:36; Mk 6:56; Lk 2:28; 1Ti3:16

· Jesus had a soul

Mt 26:38– In the garden of Gethsemane as He travailed in prayer he said to His inner circle:

Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.

Also read Mk 14:34; Isa 53:11

Jesus Christ partook of human experience

· Like all of us, He was born Gal 4:4

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Also read Lk 2:6-7

· He grew and developed like any other child

Lk 2:40

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[a] and in favor with God and man.

· Jesus also experienced hunger like all of us

Mt 21:18

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry.

Mk 11:12

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.

See also Mt 4:2 ; Lk 4:2

· He was thirsty

Jn 19:28

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”

Also read Jn4:7

· Jesus also experience fatigue

Jn 4:6

Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.[a]

· He slept

Mt 8:24

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

Also read Mk 4:38: Lk 8:23

· He was tempted

Mat 4:1

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Heb 2:18

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Also read Mk 1:13 Lk 4:2; Heb 4:15

· He suffered

1Pe 4:1

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Also read Col1:22; Heb 5:7-8; 10:10; 1Pe 2:24

· He died

Mt 27:50

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

Also read Mk 15:37; Lk 23:46; Jn. 19:30

From the above Scriptures, we can see that JesusChrist indeed identified with the rest of humanity through his death. What distinguishes him from us all however, is that his death unlike ours, was an act of free will and not a consequence of sin (Jn 10:17-18: Heb 2:9,14). He also takes it to a whole different level – when he rose from the dead, in effect defeating death with life.

We thank God, that because of the excessive love He had for us, He chose to adorn Himself in frail humanity so we can be free from the claws of the devil. That is why we celebrate Christmas. Wish you and your family a merry Christmas.