Why Did Jesus Have to Be a Man?

CBN.com Just as each of us has some sort of family history, Jesus does too. His Jewish history, heritage, and lineage can be traced back to ancient writings of both religious leaders of that day which are supported archaeologically .  This history reveals a dynastic rule of the Jewish nation, of which Jesus was an heir. Consider these three points, and although they are mentioned here briefly, the subject matter is anything but brief. It is however, an insight into the mystery of God through Jesus.

First, Jesus Christ had to come as a man to rule on the throne of David, the first king of Israel ( ">Isaiah 9:6CloseIsaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us,  a son is given to us.The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor,* Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) –7). The Bible teaches that a king would come to save God’s people from their troubles and set the world right.  This king or “anointed one” would also be known as Christ. The one who came from the line of David and commissioned by God to this office was Jesus the Christ. The importance of Jewish genealogy is crucial in this matter.  The New Testament book of Matthew reveals that Jesus is the son of David by birth. Therefore, he has the right to rule on the Davidic throne ( ">Matthew 1:1CloseMatthew 1:1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David* and of Abraham: OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) –17).

Secondly, Jesus Christ became a man to reveal the Father ( ">John 1:14CloseJohn 1:14 So the Word became human* and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.* And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , ">18). The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (literally placed His tent among us). No man has seen God in all His glory except the very unique, special Son who has a special relationship with the Father, and He has clearly explained Him. The writer of the New Testament book of John declares we have seen, touched, and held the very Son of God who became a man to reveal the Father ( ">1 John 1:1Close1 John 1:1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning,* whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) –3).

Lastly, Jesus Christ had to become a man to redeem mankind. Jesus had to have a body in order to pay the penalty for sin (Hebrews 10:1-18CloseHebrews 10:1-18 The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ* came into the world, he said to God,"You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.  But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings  or other offerings for sin. Then I said, `Look, I have come to do your will, O God—  as is written about me in the Scriptures.'"* First, Christ said, "You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them" (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, "Look, I have come to do your will." He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, "This is the new covenant I will make  with my people on that day,* says the LORD:I will put my laws in their hearts,  and I will write them on their minds."* Then he says,"I will never again remember  their sins and lawless deeds."* And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). Without the shedding of blood there is no removal of sin. Jesus had to be a man to pay the penalty for sin, but He must be God to satisfy God’s perfect demands for sin.

Therefore, Jesus became a man to rule, to reveal, and to redeem.

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Author's Note: Thanks to my Bible College professor, Tim Smith, for his input.