Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/215736
Fully God and Helpless Babe RANDY MACFARLAND, DMIN PROVOST/DEAN of Townsend and Keith Getty's Alone," which regularly sing The second stanzabegins, "In Christ alone, who took"InonChrist fullness of God we helpless babe." at Denver Seminary flesh, in The Lord Jesus Christ was "fully God." Jesus' statements led those around Him to charge Him with blasphemy. He claimed and demonstrated power over death. The authors of the New Testament declare His deity. When the Lord Jesus Christ "took on flesh" He chose to be born of a woman into a common family and humble circumstances. He became subject to the law that originated with Him. He chose to exercise those characteristics (e.g. omniscience) that are unique to being "fully God" only in dependence and in accordance with the Father's will. What does it mean that the Lord Jesus Christ became a "helpless babe"? It means that He became vulnerable, which certainly included being... "FOR IN CHRIST ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE DEITY LIVES IN BODILY FORM." (COL. 2:9) 15 DECEMBER Vulnerable to painful relationships: • misunderstanding of family members • betrayal by someone close to Him • abandonment by friends Vulnerable to injustice: • at the hand of religious leaders who despised Him • at the hand of Roman rulers who were concerned with maintaining positions of power • at a trial that made a mockery of due process Vulnerable to suffering: • failure in the eyes of others • an extreme level of temptation • one of the cruelest forms of punishment • being forsaken by the Father on the cross By virtue of His humanity, He is able to identify with us in our vulnerability and to "empathize with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15). Why did the One who was "fully God" become "helpless babe"? The Lord Jesus becoming a "helpless babe" expressed His holiness and love in a tangible way for all to see. I love Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." He became a "helpless babe" to redeem us from our sin, to give us power to live a new life, to destroy death, and to make a relationship with our Creator possible in the present and for all eternity! This Christmas, may the eyes of our heart be opened again to see and to respond to so great a love. 20 DENVER SEMINARY CHRISTMAS 2013