On many occasions, the Bible makes clear that Jesus - the Son of God - has been completely human. Paul described this so beautifully and clearly: ‘…He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness’ (Philippians 2:7). Jesus wanted to reconcile humankind with God and therefore He had to become like us, in every way. And although He became entirely human and was tempted in every way - just as we are - He did not sin like we do, and became the unblemished Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Hebrews 4:15, John 1:29).
But Jesus did even more. He did not only die for our sins on the cross of Golgotha, He also left us an example that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Without reconciliation, it is impossible for any human to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Jesus became completely human in order to show to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms and to us, how we can live in full communion with God on earth.
Since He offered us this full communion with the Father, we are out of excuses. Jesus says, ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (John 20:21).
But why is so little of this evident in our lives? Because we rather share in the glory of Jesus than that we are willing to share in His sufferings. Jesus, the Son of God, came to John the Baptist to identify Himself fully with the sinner who needed to repent. Let us follow Jesus in this too and so lead others with us on the way to life that Jesus prepared for all people who truly want to follow Him.