Why It Matters That We Get Right Jesus’ Identity as Fully Divine and Fully Human
By Daniel Hughes, Member, C-Suite for Christ Speakers Bureau
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Let’s be honest—the question of who Jesus is isn’t just a matter for scholars or theologians sitting in ivy-covered halls. It’s the central question of Christian faith, and getting it right matters, maybe more than we often realize.
So, why does it matter that we understand Jesus as both fully divine and fully human? Let’s explore the stakes, the meaning, and the deep assurance that comes from getting this right.
It’s All About Relationship—Not Just Doctrine
First things first: this isn’t about splitting hairs or arguing for argument’s sake. The question of Jesus’ full divinity and full humanity is about the relationship. Christianity is unique among world religions in claiming that, in Jesus, God actually stepped into our story, walked our dusty roads, felt hunger and fatigue, laughed, wept, and ultimately suffered and died. If we get Jesus’ identity wrong, we risk misunderstanding the very heart of God’s approach to us.
Think about it—if Jesus was only divine, sort of “God in a mask,” then his temptations, suffering, and even death aren’t fully real. And if he were only human, just a wise teacher or a moral example, then he’s not actually able to save us or reveal God’s true nature. The claim that Jesus is both fully God and fully human isn’t just a technicality; it’s what makes Christianity profound, mysterious, and deeply relevant to our lives.
Why Full Divinity Matters
Let’s break it down—first, the divinity side. If Jesus is truly God, then when he speaks, acts, forgives, and loves, it’s God himself doing these things. This means Jesus isn’t just pointing us to God—he is God, come near.
Salvation is God’s Work
Christian teaching holds that only God can save humanity. If Jesus were less than fully divine, we’d be left with a Savior who can only invite us to try harder, live better, or achieve enlightenment on our own steam. That’s not the gospel. The good news is that salvation isn’t about our reaching up to God; it’s about God coming down to us. Only the infinite love and power of God could bridge the infinite gap between us and God, a gap created by sin, brokenness, and our own limitations.
Worship and Trust
If Jesus isn’t fully God, then worshipping him is idolatry. But Christians throughout the centuries have worshipped Jesus because they realized, sometimes to their own shock, that God had revealed himself in this man from Nazareth. Every time we pray in Jesus’ name, trust his promises, or call him Lord, we’re affirming this reality. Our hope and trust are only as strong as the one we put our faith in—and if Jesus isn’t God, our faith would ultimately be misplaced.
The Importance of Full Humanity
Now, let’s look at the other side of the coin: Jesus’ humanity. Sometimes people imagine Jesus as God merely “appearing” human, like an actor in a costume. But traditional Christian belief insists that Jesus wasn’t just God in disguise—he was truly and fully human.
He Gets Us—Truly
This is actually an incredible comfort. Jesus wasn’t immune to pain, temptation, or suffering. He got tired. He wept at the tomb of his friend. He felt the sting of betrayal and the agony of death. The letter to the Hebrews puts it beautifully: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” Jesus knows what it’s like to be human, not just in theory, but in experience. He shares our struggles and stands in true solidarity with us.
Our Representative
For Jesus to stand in our place, he needed to be one of us. In Christian thought, Jesus is the second Adam, the one who lived a perfect human life and offered it on our behalf. If he were not truly human, he couldn’t represent us, couldn’t be the bridge between God and humanity. His obedience, suffering, and death were absolute, and that’s what makes his sacrifice meaningful and effective for us.
Unity, Not a 50/50 Split
It’s tempting to think of Jesus as “half God, half man,” but that’s not how the early Christians understood it. The classic language is “fully God and fully human,” not a mixture or blend, but two complete natures united in one person. The early church wrestled long and hard with this, not because they loved controversy, but because they wanted to be faithful to what they experienced in Jesus and what they read in Scripture.
Why Not Just One Side?
If you lean too far in either direction—emphasizing divinity to the exclusion of humanity, or vice versa—you end up with a Jesus who can’t truly save or truly understand. The early church called these one-sided views heresies because they cut the heart out of the gospel. Only a Savior who is both fully God and fully human can unite us with God and heal our brokenness.
What Does This Mean for Us—Practically?
So, let’s get practical. Why does this doctrine matter for your daily life? Here are a few ways:
- Assurance of Salvation: Because Jesus is God, his promises are trustworthy, and his sacrifice is sufficient. Because he is human, it truly counts for us.
- Source of Comfort: When you’re struggling, facing temptation, or feeling alone, you can know that God isn’t distant. In Jesus, God has experienced it all—and walks with you still.
- Model for Living: Jesus shows us what it means to be truly human. He lived with compassion, truthfulness, humility, and courage. He’s not just an example, but the very presence of God inviting us to become more fully ourselves.
- Bridge Between Worlds: Jesus brings together heaven and earth, God and humanity. In him, we find meaning, hope, and a secure future.
The Heart of Christian Worship and Mission
Getting Jesus’ identity right isn’t just about avoiding mistakes on a theological quiz. It shapes the way we worship, pray, serve, and understand ourselves. Suppose Jesus is both fully God and fully human. In that case, Christianity isn’t just another philosophy or moral code—it’s the astonishing claim that God has drawn near in the most personal way imaginable. It means our faith is not about escaping humanity but about finding God in the midst of it.
That’s why Christians throughout the centuries have insisted on this doctrine, sometimes at significant personal cost. From the creeds of the early church to the hymns we still sing, this truth remains at the center: in Jesus, we encounter the face of God and the fullness of human experience, united in love.
So, Why Does It Matter?
Because if we get this wrong, we risk losing the very heart of what makes Christianity good news. We might settle for a distant God, or for a merely inspirational teacher, but miss the one who is both: the God who loves us enough to become one of us and the human who lifts us into the very life of God.
So, let’s get it right—not just for the sake of doctrine, but for the sake of our hearts, our hope, and our lives. In Jesus, fully divine and fully human, we find both the answer to our most profound questions and the assurance of God’s enduring love.
You can reach Daniel at safetydanh@yahoo.com.
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