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Jesus’ Human Nature

Jesus’ Human Nature

For years I’ve had a hard time explaining why Christ had to die. Each of the various reasons given just didn’t seem to add up. Payment, substitution, and other reasons never sounded good enough.

As I’ve come to understand the “health-care model” of salvation and Jesus’ death as necessary to perfect love in the human race and win us back to trust in God, I find myself wishing I had come to know these beautiful truths earlier. I had Hindu classmates in Medical school in India who had asked me about Jesus death and told me how they never really understood why someone considered God had to die. My explanations, I’m certain, were never adequate.
But now I have an understanding of salvation in a manner that is consistent with God’s love. Reading your blogs and listening to the various examples you give helps immensely. But there are a few points that I would like you to address as it is something I struggle with.

You’ve stated that Jesus had neither the pre-fall nature of Adam nor the same nature as fallen man. It definitely seems logical to come to that conclusion when we consider Jesus’ parentage – a sinful mother & God the Father. But how do we reconcile that with Hebrews 2:17 “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (NIV)  Also how can we understand Romans 1:3 that mentions that Jesus was “born of the seed of David according to the flesh.”(NKJV) and Romans 8:3 where its said that “God [sent] His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.”(NKJV)

I’d like to thank you for the wonderful insights you have given me, both through your blog and through the discussions of your class on the character of God. I find myself growing as I spend time comparing what you discuss with passages in Scripture. Please convey my thanks to your class as well for the lovely thoughts provided. Its wonderful to hear many of the truths I have come across in the Bible echoed in the class and just fall into place together. Thank you for taking the time to go through this message. Continue to serve our God through your ministry.

With love and prayers, Dr. P.J.


Thanks for your affirmation and sharing the truth about God in your circle of influence. And thanks for allowing me to clarify my thoughts on Jesus’ human nature.

The traditional argument on the nature of Christ has primarily been between two ideas: 1) Jesus had a nature exactly like Adam’s before his fall, and 2) Jesus had a nature exactly like ours after Adam’s fall.

I believe both these ideas are incorrect. Jesus’ physical body was made just like ours in every way. He was subject to fatigue, hunger, thirst. He experienced physical pain, required sleep and rest. Adam before the fall didn’t experience fatigue, hunger, physical suffering and pain as Christ did. Some have argued Adam didn’t even require sleep.

But more than this, fallen humanity experiences temptations from our own “evil desires” (James 1:14). Adam never experienced any such internal pull or temptation to sin. Christ took upon Himself a nature like ours, a nature which did experience the internal pull of temptation. “He was tempted in every way, just like we are, yet was without sin” (Heb 4:15).

We see this most clearly in Gethsemane when Christ was tempted by powerful human emotions to avoid the cross and “save self”. Yet with each temptation Christ overcame the desire to save self and instead gave Himself in love according to the Father’s will.

Therefore, Christ, through Mary assumed a humanity capable of experiencing the full force of selfish temptation – something Adam never faced. Yet, because His Father was God, the mind of Jesus was in perfect harmony with God’s character of love. In the human brain of Jesus Christ the ultimate battle of the universe was fought. In the human brain of Jesus Christ God’s love warred against the full force of warped and selfish, sinful human desires. In the mind of Jesus Christ love overcame and destroyed the desire to save-self and He gave Himself freely in love.

In summary, Adam, before his fall, could experience temptation only from an external source. Humans, since the fall, experience temptation from both external and internal source. Humans, since the fall, not only experience temptation from an internal source but are born with our mental faculties bent toward gratification of our fallen, selfish nature (Romans 8:5-7). Or, as Psalms says “we are born in sin, conceived in iniquity” (51:5). But, while Jesus was born with a nature that could experience temptation from within, a nature that could feel fear, anxiety and a desire to act selfishly, because His Father was God the faculties of His mind were fully in harmony with God’s character of love. Jesus’ mind was never defiled by indulging selfish temptations, even though he experienced the force of such temptation. His character was developed perfectly in harmony with God’s law of love, in the face of the most intense temptations from human fear and emotion ever experienced in the universe. Therefore, Jesus was not exactly like Adam before the fall nor was He exactly like us after the fall. He was unique, one of a kind – the God-man, our Savior!

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Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

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I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

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Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA