Jesus: Human and Divine

 

Jesus:  Human and Divine

The “Red-Letter Words” of Jesus

Day Thirty

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  John 3:12-13 (NKJV)

Nicodemus struggled to understand heavenly things via his human nature (vs. 12). He couldn’t comprehend godly truths with a natural mind. Hence, the reason he needed a spiritual rebirth.

Jesus had a dual nature. Verse thirteen gives us some insight into His dual nature. Jesus’ preferred title for Himself, “The Son of Man,” gives reference to His human nature. And “…who is in heaven” gives reference to Jesus’ divine nature.

I admit the above scriptures confused me when I first started studying them. How could Jesus be in two places (earth and heaven) at the same time? It’s a head scratcher of a question, for sure.

Let’s look at John 1:51 to help us understand Jesus’ statement. “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Jesus’ body was limited by the laws of His humanness. That’s why He couldn’t perform miracles until the Holy Spirit, like a dove, lit on Him. However, His spirit, not limited by the laws of nature, knew no bounds. Heaven was wide open to Him. He had connection in the spiritual realm allowing Him readily access to His Father and home.

In John 3:13, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that heaven was His eternal home (long before His Bethlehem birth). Who better to teach spiritual truths than someone who had come from there? It’s true Enoch and Elijah ascended to heaven, but they never returned to earth. Jesus, being the only one who descended from there, understood its ways and glory.

Jesus makes it clear heaven is open to us today. Through rebirth our spiritual eyes can be awakened to its activities, warfare, and dynamics. He gives us first-hand knowledge of its funtionality and splendor. The Holy Spirit helps us to comprehend those heavenly things which were previously hidden to Nicodemus and us.

“But as it is written:  ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:9-10  (NKJV)

 

http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm

http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm

http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm

http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3.htm