The Divine Pattern of the Divine and Human nature of Christ

Posted Jan 04, 2018 by Adrian Ebens in The Son of God

If you ever hear that Christ only had human nature when here on earth. Consider this statement.

The world's Redeemer had a greater than angelic nature, yet united with His divine majesty were meekness and humility that attracted all to Himself. {MB 14.2}

Christ blended His divine nature with our human nature. His divine nature made many of his tests greater than ours. I have never been tempted to turn stones into bread.

It was a difficult task for the Prince of Life to carry out the plan which He had undertaken for the salvation of man, in clothing His divinity with humanity. He had received honor in the heavenly courts and was familiar with absolute power. It was as difficult for Him to keep the level of humanity as for men to rise above the low level of their depraved natures and be partakers of the divine nature. {Con 85.1}

It was hard for Christ to remain in the level of humanity and submission to the Father. In His Divine power He might have done many things independent of His Father's will but He submitted Himself which makes His submission so sublime.

Here is another quote. By what human power could Jesus hear people's prayers outside His presence and then draw them into it? It was His divine nature under the submission of His Father.

“Among the Jews it was customary for children to be brought to some rabbi, that he might lay his hands upon them in blessing; but the Saviour’s disciples thought His work too important to be interrupted in this way. When the mothers came to Him with their little ones, the disciples looked on them with disfavor. They thought these children too young to be benefited by a visit to Jesus, and concluded that He would be displeased at their presence. But it was the disciples with whom He was displeased. The Saviour understood the care and burden of the mothers who were seeking to train their children according to the word of God. He had heard their prayers. He Himself had drawn them into His presence. { DA 511.2}”

The ability to perform is not the test. It is maintaining your identity as a son or daughter of God in whatever position you have been given. It is not about performance but relationship!

How were the Divine and human natures combined together? We don't know exactly. It is a mystery.

Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God? No, the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person--the Man Christ Jesus. {UL 260.2}

The divine nature in the person of Christ was not transformed in human nature and the human nature of the Son of man was not changed into the divine nature, but they were mysteriously blended in the Saviour of men. He was not the Father but in Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and yet He calls to a suffering world, "Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." --Letter 8a, 1890, pp. 2, 3. (To M. J. Church, July 7, 1890.) 6MR 113,114

While it is a mystery, there is more we can learn.

 Satan had questioned whether Jesus was the Son of God. In his summary dismissal he had proof that he could not gainsay. Divinity flashed through suffering humanity. DA 130

When divinity flashed through humanity, not only did they see indignation on Christ's countenance; they realized the import of His words. They felt as if before the throne of the eternal Judge, with their sentence passed on them for time and for eternity. For a time they were convinced that Christ was a prophet; and many believed Him to be the Messiah. The Holy Spirit flashed into their minds the utterances of the prophets concerning Christ. Would they yield to this conviction?  {DA 162.3} 

When we understand the Divine Pattern we see that the Divine Nature was manifested through the human nature. Divinity flashed through humanity. The divine nature was the source and the human nature was the channel. If Christ stepped out of the divine pattern then the nature of the relationship would have changed and caused failure. The divine and human nature are no co-equal. The Divine nature was not removed as some claim but the Divine nature was clothed with humanity.

Man was under the condemnation of the broken law. He could not save himself, and for this reason Christ came to this world, clothed His divinity with humanity, and gave His life, the just for the unjust. COL 244

The divine nature was invisible (clothed) and the human nature was visible. Divinity would flash through the humanity. When you understand the divine pattern then it makes things much simpler in understanding the relationship of the human and the divine.