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Last week we looked at the doctrine of the incarnation. That is, the fact that Jesus, as God, took on human flesh and dwelt on earth. In this study we will continue to consider this doctrine, specifically regarding the Lord jesus Christ and his human nature.

Like the doctrine of the trinity, men have tried diligently to explain the incarnation in a clear and concise manner, making it easily understood.  In this effort many false ideas have arisen, and sometimes, more confusion then clarity has been created.  The fact is, according to Isaiah 55:9, God’s thoughts and his ways are far above our ability to comprehend them.  He has allowed us to grasp many eternal truths, but some remain somewhat mysterious.

Although we may have to acknowledge that the mixture of deity and humanity at the incarnation is far above our ability to understand, one thing can be certain, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was both man and God at the same time.

• Phil 2:6-7.  Q. Who did Jesus claim to be equal to?___________.

Q. What was Jesus made in the likeness of? ________.

We refer often to Jesus as the Son of God, and rightfully so, since Jesus claimed to be eternal (John 8:58), to be one with the Father (John 10:30), and to be the image of the Father (John 12:45), but Jesus’ preferred title was “the Son of man”. This title, used by Jesus thirty times in the book of Matthewhew alone, refers to his humanity.

Although Jesus was fully God and fully man, he did not avail himself to his divine power in much of his earthly ministry.

• John 3:34. Q. What did God give Jesus not by measure? (that is, he gave it fully) ________________________.

• John 14:12. Q. What did Jesus say regarding his works?

Although fully divine, Jesus did not avail himself to his deity in much of his earthly ministry, choosing instead, as our example to use the power of the Holy Spirit.  Look up these verses and list characteristics of Jesus that reflect his humanity. Matthew 26:37, Luke 2:40, Luke 4:2, Luke 8:23, John 4:6

Jesus Our Example

One reason why it was absolutely necessary for Jesus Christ to be fully human was so that he could be our example.  Though he came to do far more than to set an example, it remains one purpose of the incarnation.

•1 Peter 2:21. Q. What did Jesus leave us? _______________________.

Q. What should we do with this example? _______________________.

Consider the following verses and indicate in what areas we are to follow Christ’s example.

• Matthew 6:9-13)  ________________________________________.

• Col 3:13  ___________________________________________.

• Matthew 20:27-28  _______________________________________.

• John 15:10  _________________________________________.

• Matthew 11:29  _________________________________________.

• 1Pet 1:15-16________________________________________.

• 1John 3:3  _________________________________________.

• Phil 2:5-8  _________________________________________.

Although there are certain aspects of Jesus’ life that we could never duplicate, the Bible is clear that we are to try to live like Jesus lived. We can forgive others, serve others, have a humble spirit, and practice obedience, holiness, and purity.  All these things reflect the human life of Jesus as he lived in the power of the Spirit. God has given us the same Spirit and desires us to become like Christ.

• Write out 1John 2:6 ____________________________________

________________________________________________________.

Some years ago, it became popular in Christian circles to ask, What would Jesus do? Although this is a valid question, we must be careful not to relegate the life of Jesus to that of  just an example. He is our example and so much more. Remember, it is only by our surrendering to His influence in our lives by His Holy Spirit that we can be like Him. He did not come simply to show us how to live, but to give us life! (John 10:10, Rom 5:10)

Jesus Our Kinsman Redeemer

As we stated in an earlier study, although God can do anything, he has chosen to govern himself according to his justice and his law.  One portion of the law that God demands be fulfilled is that of the Kinsman Redeemer. This law is found in • Leviticus 25:47-49.

v 47. Q. Why has the man in this verse sold himself?

v 48. Q. Who can redeem or “buy back” this man?

v 48. Q. Under what conditions could he redeem himself?

This man, due to his poverty has sold himself as a slave to his debtor.  Only a near of kin could pay the debt that this man could not pay.  Once this payment was made, this man was freed from his service to his debtor and is made free.

This is the exact position in which the lost sinner finds himself.

• Rom 7:14 …. I am carnal, ________________________.

All of mankind is spiritually bankrupt and sold under sin. As a result we find ourselves as servants of sin (Rom 6:6). We do not possess the means to redeem ourselves, as the cost is death in Hell (Rom 6:23).  Thankfully we can appeal to God’s law of the kinsman redeemer and seek one to deliver us from our servitude! • John 8:34-36.

v 34. Q. What is one who commits sin? ________________________.

v 36. Q. Who can make us free? _____________________________.

Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the kinsman redeemer when he took on human form. 1. He was able to pay the price (Rom 8:3), 2. He was willing to pay the price (Gal 1:4), 3. He himself was free (Heb 4:15), and lastly 4. He was our kinsman (Heb 2:17).

Had the incarnation not taken place, we would remain sold under sin.  From the first sin of Adam until the birth of Christ, there was never born one who could fulfill the requirements for redemption.  Jesus and he alone could be the kinsman redeemer, thus fulfilling God’s law and redeeming us from sin.

Think • Discuss Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Jesus Our High Priest

Lastly, let’s consider the role that the humanity of Christ played in his office as our high priest.

• Hebrews 2:17. Q. According to this verse, what did Jesus have to do before he could become our high priest?

• Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest _________________, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Before Jesus could become our high priest he had to become like us. Now let’s look at some of the duties he performs as our high priest.

• Hebrews 2:18. Q. What does our high priest do for us?

Q. How is it that he is now able to perform this duty?

• Hebrews 7:25. Q. As a high priest, what does Christ live to do for us?

• Hebrews 10:5, 10:10. Q. As a high priest, what has Jesus offered for us?

• Hebrews 4:15,16. Q. What can we now do, since He has become our high priest?

One duty of the Old Testament priest was to enter into the holy of holies within the tabernacle in order to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people once a year.  This sacrifice did not take away sin, but acted as a temporary covering. • Hebrews 9:11-14. Q. With what did our high priest enter the holy of holies in Heaven?

Q. What was our high priest able to obtain for us, with his blood?

Jesus is our example, our kinsman redeemer, and our high priest.  None of these things could have been possible had Jesus not taken on true humanity at Bethlehem.  Though we may not fully understand it, the Bible is clear, Jesus was fully human and fully divine.

Review

1. How is it possible that we could do works like Jesus did?

2. How could Jesus be our example if he was divine?

3. How is Jesus MORE than an example?

4. Which requirement of the law of the kinsman redeemer absolutely required that Jesus become man?

5. What are some advantages that we have since Jesus is our high priest?

Tags: flesh, God, high, holy spirit, humanity, incarnation, jesus, priest, redeemer
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We dealt briefly in a previous study (6, pg 3) with the concept of redemption. In it, we examined the Old Testament law of the Kinsman Redeemer. Because it aptly illustrated the doctrine of redemption and for thoroughness sake this page is also included here.

One portion of the law that God demands be fulfilled is that of the Kinsman Redeemer. This law is found in • Leviticus 25:47-49.

v 47. Q. Why has the man in this verse sold himself?

v 48. Q. Who can redeem or “buy back” this man?

v 48. Q. Under what conditions could he redeem himself?

This man, due to his poverty has sold himself as a slave to his debtor. Only a near of kin could pay the debt that this man could not pay. Once this payment was made, this man was freed from his service to his debtor and is made free.

This is the exact position in which the lost sinner finds himself.

• Rom 7:14 …. I am carnal, ________________________.

All of mankind is spiritually bankrupt and sold under sin. As a result we find ourselves as servants of sin (Rom 6:6). We do not possess the means to redeem ourselves, as the cost is death in Hell (Rom 6:23). Thankfully we can appeal to God’s law of the kinsman redeemer and seek one to deliver us from our servitude! • John 8:34-36.

v 34. Q. What is one who commits sin? ________________________.

v 36. Q. Who can make us free? _____________________________.

Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the kinsman redeemer when he took on human form. 1. He was able to pay the price (Rom 8:3), 2. He was willing to pay the price (Gal 1:4), 3. He himself was free (Heb 4:15), and lastly 4. He was our kinsman (Heb 2:17).

Had the incarnation not taken place, we would remain sold under sin. From the first sin of Adam until the birth of Christ, there was never born one who could fulfill the requirements for redemption. Jesus and he alone could be the kinsman redeemer, thus fulfilling God’s law and redeeming us from sin.

Jesus Our Redeemer

According to Kenneth Wuest, a greek scholar, there are three different words translated redeem in the New Testament. The first word means “to buy in the slave market”, the second means “to buy out of the slave market”, and the third means, “to set free by paying a price”. All three of these definitions describe what Jesus has done for us. Jesus had to buy us in the slave market as we stood as slaves to sin, he purchased us out of the slave market never to be sold again, and he has set us free by the blood of his cross.

Now let’s look at redemption in more detail.

Who is our Redeemer?

• Ps 78:35. Isa 47:4. Who is the redeemer in these verses?____________.

• Gal 3:13. Who is the redeemer mentioned here?___________________.

The above verses not only prove that God is our redeemer but that Jesus is equal to God! In Job 19:25 we read an amazing verse which contains a prophecy regarding Christ’s redemptive role and his incarnation. Write it below.

Job 19:25:

What are we Redeemed from?

• Gal 4:4-5. Q. Jesus has redeemed us out from under the ______________.

• Gal 3:13. Q. What has Christ redeemed us from?___________________.

Without Christ’s redemptive work we are left under the law. This means that the unsaved person is still subject to the penalty of sin as pronounced under the law – death (Rom 6:23), and remains estranged from God. Christ’s redemptive work means that he has paid this penalty and has freed us from the bondage of the law.

Think for a moment of someone who has been taken hostage. His captor seeks a payment of some sort before he will let his prisoner free. The payment which he demands is called a ransom. His prisoner will never be free unless someone satisfies his damands of payment. In a similar sense we have been held captive by the law and to sin, the price demanded is death in Hell.

• Matt 20:28. What has Christ come to give his life as?

Jesus and he alone could satisfy the demands of our captor, he has redeemed us from the penalty of law and sin.

How have we been Redeemed?

We know now that there was a need for a redeemer since we owed a penalty which we could not pay, we know also that Jesus was the only one who could redeem us, and lastly we know that he did in fact redeem us. But how did Jesus accomplish this redemption?

• 1 Peter 1:18-19. Q. By what were we redeemed?____________________

Q. Why is Jesus compared to a lamb without blemish and spot in this verse?

• Hebrews 9:12. Q. With what did Jesus enter the holy place?

Q. What did Jesus obtain for us by doing so?

• Acts 20:28. Q. What has Jesus done with the church of God?

Q. With what did Jesus purchase the church?

• Revelation 5:9. Q. According to this verse, how are we redeemed?

Jesus came to redeem us from the law. The only ransom suitable to free us was his sinless blood. He was crucified, bled and died in order to secure our redemption. Notice that the above verses do no simply mention Christ’s death, but specifically his blood. The shedding of Christ’s blood for our redemption is an essential doctrine and should never be minimized.

Redeemed–how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

• Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged ____________; and without shedding of blood is __________________.

The word remission means “a pardon, or forgiveness”. According to scripture there is no pardon from sin without the shedding of blood. Now look at:

• Matt 26:28. Q. Why was Christ’s blood shed?

We have been redeemed by the spotless blood of Christ!

The Benefits of our Redemption

Forgiveness of Sins

• Eph 1:7, Col 1:14. Q. What do we have as a result of our redemption?

When Jesus redeemed us from the law we were pardoned from the penalty which we owed. Our debt was forgiven. Once redeemed from the law we are never to return to it’s enslavement. The pardon which we have received is not a one-time event but is a perpetual pardon. As Christians we can, at any time, access this pardon by asking his forgiveness for our daily sin. (1 John 1:9)

Justification

• Romans 3:24. Q. Being ____________________ freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

The word justified means “rendered just or innocent”. According to that verse we have not simply escaped the penalty of our sin through His redemption, but we have also gained innoceny in the eyes of God. This is an important distinction. Consider for a moment the way in which we regard criminals who have been released from prison. Although they may have served their sentence or paid their penalty, they remain guilty in the eyes of men. This is much different from our justification. Not only has the sentence been served, and the penalty paid, but we have been rendered innocent and just in the eyes of God.

• Romans 5:1 Therefore being ______________________ by faith, we have ____________________________ through our Lord Jesus Christ:

If you know for sure that you are trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you need never feel guilty over your past sins! Although we may regret the things we have done in the past, we must realize that God does not hold those things against us any longer, we have been redeemed from the penalty of our sin and we have been justified before God. We must, by faith, accept that we are accepted by God (through Christ’s finished work on the cross). The Christian who wallows in self pity over sins of the past must realize that they are in fact minimizing Christ’s work on the cross. They are not failing to accept themselves (“low self-esteem”), they are failing to accept that Christ’s work on their behalf was sufficient to justify them.

The Adoption of Sons

• Gal 4:4-5. Q. According to these verses, what have we received?

As a result of Christ’s redemptive work, we have become the children of God and joint-heirs with Christ. (Rom 8:17). This will ultimately be fulfilled in Heaven. For this reason we often read of our adoption in the future tense.

Our Future Redemption

We have not yet experienced all of the benefits of our redemption. Some aspects of our redemption have taken place, some are taking place, and others will take place in the future. We have been redeemed from the law (Gal 4:5), we are being redeemed from iniquity (Titus 2:14), and one day our fleshly bodies will be redeemed from the sin curse of this world (Rom 8:23), at which time our redemption will be complete.

While we wait for our complete redemption, God has given his Holy Spirit as the promise of it’s coming.

• 2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the ________________ of the Spirit in our hearts.

• Eph 1:13,14. Q. The Holy Spirit is the _________________ of our inheritance.

Q. Until what time is the spirit to be the earnest of our inheritance?

Q. What will finally be redeemed at this time?

• Rom 8:23. Q. What do we which have the Spirit wait for?

The word earnest can be thought of as a “down payment”, a “pledge”, or even a “security deposit”. God has given us the indwelling Spirit as a token of things to come. We have a glorious inheritance waiting for us in heaven, and we are looking forward to the redemption of our fleshly bodies. The Holy Spirit is the down payment or earnest of these things until they come. See also Eph 4:30 and Luke 21:28.

The Right Response to Our Redemption

• 1 Cor 6:20. Q. What should we do now that we are redeemed (bought..)?

• 1 Cor 7:23. Q. What should we do now that we are redeemed (bought..)?

• Rom 6:22. Q. Who should we serve now that we are free from sin?

• Titus 2:14. Q. What should we zealous of now that we are redeemed?

• Gal 1:4. Q. What has our redemption delivered us from?

Since we have been redeemed we have become the rightful posession of God. We have been bought with a price and should therefore use our present lives to glorify God. We are to separate from this present evil world, glorify Him in our bodies, develop a zeal for good works, and seek to bear the fruit of holiness. This is the right response to our redemption.

Tags: jesus, redeemer
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