Monday Meditation
January 02, 2012
His Choice
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
He also Himself likewise took part of the same.”
Hebrews 2:14
Notice all that is suggested in these few words: His incarnation was voluntary – He also Himself. There was no constraint; there was no external demand on Him. The Word became, of His own voluntary will and choice, flesh.
His incarnation was also unique. He took part of the same. You and I did not “take part of the same,” but were born into the world with no other “option” as to our substance and nature. He chose to take humanity into union with His deity.
His incarnation was a reality. He took part of “the same.” He is as much a man as any human being ever born into the world. In truth, He is the perfect man – manhood as God intended manhood to be. He took part of blood and flesh (v 14).
His incarnation was purposeful. His incarnation had purposes and goals in view. Verses 14-18 detail some of those goals involved in His incarnation and death.
But we know as well that His Manhood is eternal. He will never cease being a true man for all eternity. He is “like unto” us but unique in every way. A true humanity, but a unique humanity.
Consider:
1. Here we are reminded of flesh and blood (v 14) as the signs of true humanity. In Luke 24:39, the Lord Jesus refers to “flesh and bones” as proof of His bodily resurrection. Why the difference and what does it portend about our future resurrection bodies?
2. For us, humanness is an honor, the capstone of God’s creation. But for Him, becoming human was a step of untold humility. Paul speaks of God being “manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16). Was anyone else ever “manifested” in the flesh?
3. What is the idea of verse 16? He took not hold of angels but He took hold of the seed of Abraham?
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