The God-man, really?

By Paul Bawden

Superman, Superwoman, Supergirl, Superboy, Spiderman, and the Force, heroes writers and movie producers have concocted who act like god or are god.

Why have the producers come up with such characters? There is a desire within each of us to have someone greater than us who can solve the world’s problems, make everything right, and bring peace. I remember a friend relating to me once that another person had mentioned to him that there must be someone somewhere who could provide a solution to it all.

May I suggest to you that this is what Christmas is all about. Someone has come who is greater than us yet like us who can deal with the problems and challenges of our day and bring peace. To some a fairy tale, perhaps a nice story for children, but not believable for a rational person.

Certainly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and go on their merry way, which isn’t necessarily merry all the time, for one has to live with his hopeless decision. Or, on the other hand, a person can stop and consider what happened on that first Christmas Eve in the little town of Bethlehem some 2000 years ago.

So, what happened there? A child was born who was God and man – God and humanity in one person – the God-man. Really? Yes, really!! Conceived in Mary’s womb by God the Holy Spirit, Mary in nine months gave birth to a baby boy who was called Jesus, who would provide salvation for all peoples and bring His peace to the world.

This is the incarnation also called the hypostatic union. The eternal Son of God – deity uniting with sinless humanity without mixing the natures or dividing the Person. C.S. Lewis called it – “The Grand Miracle.” Truly it was! Jesus thirsted and was weak, yet He knew all things and was all-powerful. Jesus died, but deity doesn’t die. His Spirit went to heaven and He rose bodily from the grave.

Jesus, as the God-man, would grew to be an adult and show us how His heavenly Father would act on planet earth (John 1:14,18), and what He would do for people, as He showed them compassion, providing right spiritual teaching along with spiritual transformation through His forgiveness, bringing physical healing, even raising the dead, demonstrating that He was indeed the God-man.

What was Jesus’ ultimate mission on planet earth? He said He didn’t come to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). Jesus came to provide, through His death, burial, and bodily resurrection, His forgiveness and eternal life for humanity, which includes you and me, for we desperately need His forgiveness and eternal life – yes peace with God and one another.

Those who recognize their need for Jesus’ forgiveness and eternal life, and put their faith in Him, He provides the believer His LIFE. Now the believer is at peace with God, and can live with lasting fulfillment here, while enjoying His love, peace, kindness, self-control, commitment and forgiveness, while displaying that to others individually and in one’s family. Reconciliation can occur if needed so His peace will prevail between individuals and in families – yes, even His peace among nations when leaders make a commitment to Jesus and to follow Him. At the end of his time on earth, the believer goes to be with Him forever.

Jesus guarantees that He will come again and bring peace to the world ravished by man’s disobedience and rebellion. Jesus is not the superman. He is the God-man! Worship and serve Him this Christmas season and every day of the year! Merry Christmas!!