Jesus Is Not 50% God and 50% Man (Sinclair Ferguson Explains the Doctrine of the Incarnation)

Sinclair mentioned earlier that uh Jesus Sinclair mentioned earlier that uh Jesus was not just some kind of superhuman nor was not just some kind of superhuman nor was not just some kind of superhuman nor nor was he just a mere kind of super nor was he just a mere kind of super nor was he just a mere kind of super baby which baby which baby which well-meaning lyrics like uh you know the well-meaning lyrics like uh you know the well-meaning lyrics like uh you know the cattle are loing the baby awakes but cattle are loing the baby awakes but cattle are loing the baby awakes but little lord Jesus no crying he makes it little lord Jesus no crying he makes it little lord Jesus no crying he makes it can just lend to this idea that can just lend to this idea that can just lend to this idea that this is actually a very different uh this is actually a very different uh this is actually a very different uh human experience than anything we would human experience than anything we would human experience than anything we would ever face um and I think it can add to ever face um and I think it can add to ever face um and I think it can add to that kind of sweet sentiment mentality that kind of sweet sentiment mentality that kind of sweet sentiment mentality that can gut the the scandal and the that can gut the the scandal and the that can gut the the scandal and the glory of the incarnation. The only other glory of the incarnation. The only other glory of the incarnation. The only other thing I'll add, brothers, is is I think thing I'll add, brothers, is is I think thing I'll add, brothers, is is I think that uh a lot of evangelicals in our that uh a lot of evangelicals in our that uh a lot of evangelicals in our churches u just have this this idea that churches u just have this this idea that churches u just have this this idea that Jesus is God and man. And so it's Jesus is God and man. And so it's Jesus is God and man. And so it's probably some combination of the two. uh probably some combination of the two. uh probably some combination of the two. uh as if it's 50% and 50% or some other as if it's 50% and 50% or some other as if it's 50% and 50% or some other proportion. But one of the things we get proportion. But one of the things we get proportion. But one of the things we get to I think clarify is that we don't just to I think clarify is that we don't just to I think clarify is that we don't just have a half and half savior. Uh when have a half and half savior. Uh when have a half and half savior. Uh when when Philippians 2 talks about u uh the when Philippians 2 talks about u uh the when Philippians 2 talks about u uh the the son of god emptying himself uh the the son of god emptying himself uh the the son of god emptying himself uh the son of god incarnate emptying himself son of god incarnate emptying himself son of god incarnate emptying himself that that's not a subtraction that's that that's not a subtraction that's that that's not a subtraction that's actually an addition. And Sinclair actually an addition. And Sinclair actually an addition. And Sinclair mentioned the church fathers. They were mentioned the church fathers. They were mentioned the church fathers. They were they were very clear on this. Without they were very clear on this. Without they were very clear on this. Without ceasing to be what he was, he became ceasing to be what he was, he became ceasing to be what he was, he became what he was not. Without ceasing to be what he was not. Without ceasing to be what he was not. Without ceasing to be God, he took on human flesh. And so, uh,

God, he took on human flesh. And so, uh, God, he took on human flesh. And so, uh, as I've tried to explain it to my kids, as I've tried to explain it to my kids, as I've tried to explain it to my kids, we we have a 200% savior. Uh, and he he we we have a 200% savior. Uh, and he he we we have a 200% savior. Uh, and he he didn't he didn't give up his deity. One didn't he didn't give up his deity. One didn't he didn't give up his deity. One verse I think is often not thought about verse I think is often not thought about verse I think is often not thought about in relation to Christmas. But if you in relation to Christmas. But if you in relation to Christmas. But if you think about what Jesus prays in John 17 think about what Jesus prays in John 17 think about what Jesus prays in John 17 in the high priestly prayer, he says he in the high priestly prayer, he says he in the high priestly prayer, he says he says to his father, you know, I I have says to his father, you know, I I have says to his father, you know, I I have accomplished what you've sent me to do accomplished what you've sent me to do accomplished what you've sent me to do and now father glorify me in your own and now father glorify me in your own and now father glorify me in your own presence with the blank presence with the blank presence with the blank I had with you before the world existed. I had with you before the world existed. I had with you before the world existed. So whatever is in that blank is the So whatever is in that blank is the So whatever is in that blank is the thing he gave up. And the word in the thing he gave up. And the word in the thing he gave up. And the word in the blank is not deity, for example. It's blank is not deity, for example. It's blank is not deity, for example. It's it's not like he gave up his deity. No, it's not like he gave up his deity. No, it's not like he gave up his deity. No, it's the word glory. He laid aside the it's the word glory. He laid aside the it's the word glory. He laid aside the privileges and prerogatives and the privileges and prerogatives and the privileges and prerogatives and the glory of his deity, not the deity glory of his deity, not the deity glory of his deity, not the deity itself. Um and and so as we as we itself. Um and and so as we as we itself. Um and and so as we as we continue to think about uh the nature of continue to think about uh the nature of continue to think about uh the nature of the incarnation sing clear, let's talk the incarnation sing clear, let's talk the incarnation sing clear, let's talk about the the virgin birth or I think about the the virgin birth or I think about the the virgin birth or I think more accurately the virgin conception.

more accurately the virgin conception. more accurately the virgin conception. Besides fulfilling prophecy, which is Besides fulfilling prophecy, which is Besides fulfilling prophecy, which is important, why is the virgin conception important, why is the virgin conception important, why is the virgin conception so necessary? Why did uh Jesus have to so necessary? Why did uh Jesus have to so necessary? Why did uh Jesus have to be born of a virgin, conceived of a be born of a virgin, conceived of a be born of a virgin, conceived of a virgin in order to save us from our virgin in order to save us from our virgin in order to save us from our sins? sins? sins? >> I would say uh the importance of it is >> I would say uh the importance of it is >> I would say uh the importance of it is that it seems to me uh not only because that it seems to me uh not only because that it seems to me uh not only because it's stated in prophecy, but the inner it's stated in prophecy, but the inner it's stated in prophecy, but the inner logic of things required it. logic of things required it. logic of things required it. um is not only that there was no other um is not only that there was no other um is not only that there was no other good enough to pay the price of sin, but good enough to pay the price of sin, but good enough to pay the price of sin, but actually this was the necessary way. And actually this was the necessary way. And actually this was the necessary way. And although I don't know that the scripture although I don't know that the scripture although I don't know that the scripture unfolds this um what one might say unfolds this um what one might say unfolds this um what one might say textually, I think it does logically textually, I think it does logically textually, I think it does logically that because of what the son was coming that because of what the son was coming that because of what the son was coming into the world to do, which was namely into the world to do, which was namely into the world to do, which was namely to redeem to redeem to redeem the world um um in in in a very full the world um um in in in a very full the world um um in in in a very full sense to redeem the world. um it was sense to redeem the world. um it was sense to redeem the world. um it was necessary for him to become part of that necessary for him to become part of that necessary for him to become part of that world in order to redeem it because of world in order to redeem it because of world in order to redeem it because of the way God had constituted the world.

the way God had constituted the world. the way God had constituted the world. And this I think brings us to passages And this I think brings us to passages And this I think brings us to passages like Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:42 like Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:42 like Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:42 following. And therefore, the only way following. And therefore, the only way following. And therefore, the only way it could be restored from within it could be restored from within it could be restored from within was by an entry into the world that was by an entry into the world that was by an entry into the world that would involve a beginning again to would involve a beginning again to would involve a beginning again to create a new humanity in the very ruins create a new humanity in the very ruins create a new humanity in the very ruins of the old humanity. of the old humanity. of the old humanity. And it's for this reason that the And it's for this reason that the And it's for this reason that the humanity that Christ assumes in the womb humanity that Christ assumes in the womb humanity that Christ assumes in the womb of the Virgin Mary is actually real of the Virgin Mary is actually real of the Virgin Mary is actually real humanity. It's it's our humanity. humanity. It's it's our humanity. humanity. It's it's our humanity. Um, and because it's our humanity, this Um, and because it's our humanity, this Um, and because it's our humanity, this means that Christ is from his conception means that Christ is from his conception means that Christ is from his conception qualified qualified qualified to to to reverse what Adam did, to pay the reverse what Adam did, to pay the reverse what Adam did, to pay the penalty for what Adam did and to penalty for what Adam did and to penalty for what Adam did and to accomplish what Adam failed to do, which accomplish what Adam failed to do, which accomplish what Adam failed to do, which I think is what Paul is speaking about I think is what Paul is speaking about I think is what Paul is speaking about in 1 Corinthians 15 and why he ends it in 1 Corinthians 15 and why he ends it in 1 Corinthians 15 and why he ends it by pointing forwards to the time when um by pointing forwards to the time when um by pointing forwards to the time when um the son will be subject to the father, the son will be subject to the father, the son will be subject to the father, not in terms of his eternal deity but in not in terms of his eternal deity but in not in terms of his eternal deity but in the terms that Paul has been speaking the terms that Paul has been speaking the terms that Paul has been speaking about in 1 Corinthians 15 namely as the about in 1 Corinthians 15 namely as the about in 1 Corinthians 15 namely as the second man and last Adam who has second man and last Adam who has second man and last Adam who has accomplished that redemption accomplished that redemption accomplished that redemption and so that I think involves the and so that I think involves the and so that I think involves the necessity of him entering into our necessity of him entering into our necessity of him entering into our world. So everything I think that uh

world. So everything I think that uh world. So everything I think that uh moves around the Christmas message both moves around the Christmas message both moves around the Christmas message both in terms of the original promise of the in terms of the original promise of the in terms of the original promise of the gospel in Genesis 3:15 right through to gospel in Genesis 3:15 right through to gospel in Genesis 3:15 right through to some things that are embedded in the some things that are embedded in the some things that are embedded in the narrative of the incarnation. Uh just narrative of the incarnation. Uh just narrative of the incarnation. Uh just underline underline underline that he has come not to destroy but to that he has come not to destroy but to that he has come not to destroy but to save. And because he has come to do save. And because he has come to do save. And because he has come to do that, he is really he really comes right that, he is really he really comes right that, he is really he really comes right into the very beginning of things. You into the very beginning of things. You into the very beginning of things. You know, it's it's if one can riff an know, it's it's if one can riff an know, it's it's if one can riff an irony, it's he be you know, he becomes irony, it's he be you know, he becomes irony, it's he be you know, he becomes an embryo to save embryos. an embryo to save embryos. an embryo to save embryos. How else I mean I say this with feeling. How else I mean I say this with feeling. How else I mean I say this with feeling. How else can an aborted embryo be saved How else can an aborted embryo be saved How else can an aborted embryo be saved unless Christ unless Christ unless Christ became an embryo for their salvation and became an embryo for their salvation and became an embryo for their salvation and and all the way through to what irony and all the way through to what irony and all the way through to what irony seem to regard as old age when our Lord seem to regard as old age when our Lord seem to regard as old age when our Lord was in his 30s. Um and it's interesting was in his 30s. Um and it's interesting was in his 30s. Um and it's interesting isn't it? I mean, I find it interesting isn't it? I mean, I find it interesting isn't it? I mean, I find it interesting that the more you the more you think that the more you the more you think that the more you the more you think about these theological questions, the about these theological questions, the about these theological questions, the more you realize how how very useful more you realize how how very useful more you realize how how very useful that theology is going to be for your that theology is going to be for your that theology is going to be for your pastoral exposition and application of pastoral exposition and application of pastoral exposition and application of the Christmas message to to your people.

the Christmas message to to your people. the Christmas message to to your people. >> And Sinclair, you just you mentioned >> And Sinclair, you just you mentioned >> And Sinclair, you just you mentioned Genesis 3:15, which I think is a is a Genesis 3:15, which I think is a is a Genesis 3:15, which I think is a is a hint. uh we don't build our entire hint. uh we don't build our entire hint. uh we don't build our entire doctrine of the virgin conception on it, doctrine of the virgin conception on it, doctrine of the virgin conception on it, but it's a hint right there in that but it's a hint right there in that but it's a hint right there in that first gospel promise because it's it's first gospel promise because it's it's first gospel promise because it's it's odd. We would expect God to speak to the odd. We would expect God to speak to the odd. We would expect God to speak to the serpent about a future descendant of the serpent about a future descendant of the serpent about a future descendant of the man of Adam. That's how ancient man of Adam. That's how ancient man of Adam. That's how ancient genealogies worked. A family's name and genealogies worked. A family's name and genealogies worked. A family's name and inheritance and legacy were perpetuated inheritance and legacy were perpetuated inheritance and legacy were perpetuated through the fathers, not the mothers. through the fathers, not the mothers. through the fathers, not the mothers. And so there is it there is this this And so there is it there is this this And so there is it there is this this unusual mention that it's actually going unusual mention that it's actually going unusual mention that it's actually going to be the seed of the woman who crushes to be the seed of the woman who crushes to be the seed of the woman who crushes the serpent's head which I think is the serpent's head which I think is the serpent's head which I think is hinting and as we come to see as as the hinting and as we come to see as as the hinting and as we come to see as as the revelation of scripture unfolds. The the revelation of scripture unfolds. The the revelation of scripture unfolds. The the reason is that in order to be human reason is that in order to be human reason is that in order to be human Jesus had to be born of a human mother Jesus had to be born of a human mother Jesus had to be born of a human mother but in order to be God he had to be but in order to be God he had to be but in order to be God he had to be conceived not by a human father but by conceived not by a human father but by conceived not by a human father but by the Holy Spirit. Um, and then I think the Holy Spirit. Um, and then I think the Holy Spirit. Um, and then I think that's probably what Paul is is is that's probably what Paul is is is that's probably what Paul is is is picking up on in Galatians 4:4. God sent picking up on in Galatians 4:4. God sent picking up on in Galatians 4:4. God sent his son born of a woman. And one more his son born of a woman. And one more his son born of a woman. And one more thing to note about the Old Testament, thing to note about the Old Testament, thing to note about the Old Testament, of course, there's no virgin conception, of course, there's no virgin conception, of course, there's no virgin conception, but there is a pattern in the Old but there is a pattern in the Old but there is a pattern in the Old Testament of Testament of Testament of God granting life to barren wombs. In in God granting life to barren wombs. In in God granting life to barren wombs. In in other words, there there are unusual other words, there there are unusual other words, there there are unusual birth circumstances from Sarah to birth circumstances from Sarah to birth circumstances from Sarah to Rebecca to Rachel to think of Samuel's

Rebecca to Rachel to think of Samuel's Rebecca to Rachel to think of Samuel's mother and Samson's mothers, but there's mother and Samson's mothers, but there's mother and Samson's mothers, but there's always another male involved. So, always another male involved. So, always another male involved. So, there's this pattern, but it's like there's this pattern, but it's like there's this pattern, but it's like Jesus there. We see in the New Testament Jesus there. We see in the New Testament Jesus there. We see in the New Testament in in Matthew 1 and and Luke 2, the in in Matthew 1 and and Luke 2, the in in Matthew 1 and and Luke 2, the escalation of that pattern in the unique escalation of that pattern in the unique escalation of that pattern in the unique birth par excellence of of something birth par excellence of of something birth par excellence of of something that is in no category that anything in that is in no category that anything in that is in no category that anything in the Old Testament could have prepared us the Old Testament could have prepared us the Old Testament could have prepared us for. And yet with the eyes of faith as for. And yet with the eyes of faith as for. And yet with the eyes of faith as we look back, it's not entirely out of we look back, it's not entirely out of we look back, it's not entirely out of the blue that God would be working in the blue that God would be working in the blue that God would be working in ways that defy our comprehension and ways that defy our comprehension and ways that defy our comprehension and that even defy human convention. It is that even defy human convention. It is that even defy human convention. It is so full of God fulfilling so full of God fulfilling so full of God fulfilling what I often think of as his longest what I often think of as his longest what I often think of as his longest standing and ultimately most opposed and standing and ultimately most opposed and standing and ultimately most opposed and most difficult to keep promise embedded most difficult to keep promise embedded most difficult to keep promise embedded in Genesis 3:15. in Genesis 3:15. in Genesis 3:15. Um, and you know, from that point of Um, and you know, from that point of Um, and you know, from that point of view, the Bible is like reading a, you view, the Bible is like reading a, you view, the Bible is like reading a, you know, a detective novel where when you know, a detective novel where when you know, a detective novel where when you find out who the criminal was, you find out who the criminal was, you find out who the criminal was, you remember that there were these clues, remember that there were these clues, remember that there were these clues, you know, all the way through the book you know, all the way through the book you know, all the way through the book that you didn't notice, or at least I that you didn't notice, or at least I that you didn't notice, or at least I tend not to notice cuz all I want to tend not to notice cuz all I want to tend not to notice cuz all I want to know is who done it. But it's a bad way know is who done it. But it's a bad way know is who done it. But it's a bad way to read the Bible just to want to know to read the Bible just to want to know to read the Bible just to want to know who done it without realizing who he who done it without realizing who he who done it without realizing who he really was, who done it. Um, and I think really was, who done it. Um, and I think really was, who done it. Um, and I think I think that you're absolutely I think that you're absolutely I think that you're absolutely right to emphasize that, man. Yeah.

right to emphasize that, man. Yeah. right to emphasize that, man. Yeah. >> And of course, as we go back and read >> And of course, as we go back and read >> And of course, as we go back and read the Old Testament in light of Christ, we the Old Testament in light of Christ, we the Old Testament in light of Christ, we can't not see the way some of these can't not see the way some of these can't not see the way some of these patterns anticipate. Tim Keller uh patterns anticipate. Tim Keller uh patterns anticipate. Tim Keller uh likened reading the Old Testament with a likened reading the Old Testament with a likened reading the Old Testament with a view to Christ uh as being like watching view to Christ uh as being like watching view to Christ uh as being like watching the movie The Sixth Sense for the second the movie The Sixth Sense for the second the movie The Sixth Sense for the second time. Once you realize Bruce Willis has time. Once you realize Bruce Willis has time. Once you realize Bruce Willis has been dead the whole time, sorry been dead the whole time, sorry been dead the whole time, sorry listeners, spoiler alert, but I think listeners, spoiler alert, but I think listeners, spoiler alert, but I think it's been like 25 years, 20 years. Uh, it's been like 25 years, 20 years. Uh, it's been like 25 years, 20 years. Uh, then you can't watch the movie the same then you can't watch the movie the same then you can't watch the movie the same way again. Um, as we turn the corner, way again. Um, as we turn the corner, way again. Um, as we turn the corner, >> there goes another movie I don't need to >> there goes another movie I don't need to >> there goes another movie I don't need to watch. [laughter] watch. [laughter] watch. [laughter] >> There it is. Just say saving you time. >> There it is. Just say saving you time. >> There it is. Just say saving you time. Although it's a good film.