Incarnations Are Forever
The “Incarnation” is the label given to the true event that happened when God, who consists of three persons and is the creator and sustainer of the Universe, took on human form. Many Christians are quite clear on this truth, even if it is too grand to be fully understood. We sing and celebrate it repeatedly as a church family.
Yet just as amazing but discussed less is that Jesus grew into an adult man made of flesh and bone, and is still an adult man even after his resurrection. Do we doubt this truth — that He remains a human man — because it seems too strange? We sometimes sing the song, “Absent from Flesh,” by British minister Isaac Watts, and we imagine that it describes Jesus. Yet, it seemed important to Jesus to emphasize that he was, in fact, still a human, still with a body! Look at this account documented by Luke:
And they [the two disciples who had met Jesus on the road to Emmaus] rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Luke 24:33-43 (ESV)
An Un-Human-Like Entrance. In this account Jesus does something very spirit-like: he appears in a locked room without making obvious use of the door. This could confuse things a bit; normal humans are limited by physical barriers like walls. But God evidently did not want to limit Jesus to conventional transportation (just as he transported Phillip instantly in a later occurrence recorded in Acts 8:40). This instant arrival, mid-room, encouraged them that Jesus wasn’t merely a greatly-recovered victim of government abuse, but rather a human resurrected by God. He reveals that he has the authority of the God of Atoms and Gravity who holds the universe together.
He’s Touchable. Jesus invites the gathered apostles to touch him. He wasn’t a hologram; he was a person with a body made of flesh and bones. And yet, even those standing nearby who could hold his hand at that time, doubted because it seemed too wonderful. Does it seem too good that Jesus is huggable right now?
He Eats. Finally, Jesus gives additional evidence: if they won’t trust their eyes and their hands, then perhaps they will trust their kitchen. He asked for some food and ate it in front of them. Most of us don’t enjoy being scrutinized while we eat, but Jesus purposefully showed that he could “put away the groceries.” The baby boy who started on milk to show his humility, finished with fish to show his humanity.
He Sits as the Ruling and Sympathetic. Decades after Jesus ascended, the letter to the Hebrews gives us insight into what Jesus is doing now: he’s sitting next to his Father. I believe there’s a real chair, a throne.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs (Hebrews 1:3-4 ESV).
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV).
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… (Hebrews 10:12 ESV).
We could go on, emphasizing Jesus as the Eternal Mediator, constantly bridging the gap between God and Humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). As the first resurrected human, he is the Firstfruits of Resurrection, the promise for all of us who hope in His salvation (1 Corinthians 15:20).
As Martin Luther wrote, what possible hope would we have “were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing?” Now when we pray, we can approach the throne of God with confidence, knowing that the Man who understands what we’re going through and has endured suffering is sitting on it; he is a Man who loves us and rescues us, giving purpose to our work and focus for our adoration.
But the incarnation is forever: Jesus came as a man, and he remains a man. Focus on these details; reflect on the truth and why it matters to you. Let this draw you to admire Jesus more this Christmas and prepare your heart for that big hug.
Lord Jesus, Savior of the World, thank you for coming as a human being to make a way for me to know God. I stretch my arms out wide, knowing you have arms just like mine, and I believe that you are working my salvation right now. Help me be more confident that I will see you face to face and feel your embrace.
