4 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Exodus 34:1-35:29
Matthew 24:36-51

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Matthew 24:36 (CSB): “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

The verse I have chosen for today is fascinating. It creates intrigue. Why? Because it gives us an idea of the extent Jesus went to when He left Heaven to come to earth to pay the sin debt of all who would trust in Him.

When some Christians think of Jesus’ nature when He walked the earth, they believe that He came as fully God who put on a man’s body. So, they believe He had the appearance of a man, but He lived it as fully God. They would point to the miracles He performed as proof. They would say that only God could do the miracles He did when He gave sight to the blind, helped the lame to walk, and even raised three people from the dead. (However, the Old Testament prophets also did virtually all of the miracles that Jesus performed, including raising people from the dead.)

That isn’t the picture the Bible gives us of Jesus’ nature when He walked among us. Jesus didn’t merely appear to be human, God with skin on.

Jesus maintained His deity when He left His throne in Heaven and came to earth. So, when He walked among us, He was fully God.

But … He was also fully man! He didn’t just appear to be a man. He was just as much a man as Adam was. In fact, some have rightfully said that “Jesus was just as much man as if He were not God, and just as much God as if He were not man.” He was fully man AND fully God.

Here is where we get a little more specific: He lived his life as fully man with His deity in the background.

Yes, Jesus was God when He walked on this earth, but He lived His life as fully man. When He defeated Satan and his temptations in Matthew 4, Jesus defeated them as fully man. Adam fell to Satan’s temptation as a man, but Jesus, acting as the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 45; Romans 5:18-19), defeated Satan’s temptations as a man.

So, how does the verse I have chosen for today demonstrate that Jesus lived His life as fully man while His deity resided in the background?

Matthew 24:36 (CSB): “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.”

Do you think God knows when Jesus is coming back? Of course, the previous verse tells us so.

Do you think Jesus knows when He is coming back? As of right now, as Jesus has resumed His place as God’s right hand, I believe He does. Jesus, as the second person of the Godhead, is omniscient (knows all things completely), so I believe He knows exactly when He’s coming for us. But clearly, Matthew 24:36 tells us that while Jesus walked this earth as fully man, He didn’t know when He was coming back. He didn’t know all things during His incarnation.

Just think about that. Jesus did this for you? He left Heaven. He left His relationship with His Father. He limited His abilities. He died and then rose again. Yes, He is back at the Father’s right hand now as fully God. But He temporarily did all of this and more for you and me. Have you thanked Him recently?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you to grow in your understanding of what Jesus gave up to make you right in God’s eyes.
  • Ask God to help you feel an immense debt of gratitude that is worthy of such a gift.
  • Express that gratitude to you in prayer right now.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into the nature of Jesus’ incarnation, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“If Jesus is God, why did He not know when He would return?”

“When did Jesus know that He was God?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)