The doctrine of Jesus being made fully human is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ, while being fully divine, also took on full humanity. This belief is rooted in the scriptural narrative and is essential for understanding the nature of the Incarnation, the atonement, and the role of Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a robust foundation for the belief in Jesus' full humanity. The Gospel of John begins with the profound declaration of the Incarnation: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). This verse encapsulates the mystery of the Incarnation, where the eternal Word, who was with God and was God (John 1:1), took on human flesh.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes Jesus' humanity in his epistles. In Philippians 2:7-8, Paul writes, "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." This passage highlights Jesus' voluntary humility and obedience, essential aspects of His human experience.

The author of Hebrews also underscores Jesus' humanity, stating, "Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). This sharing in humanity was necessary for Jesus to be a merciful and faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:17).

Human Experiences of Jesus

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as experiencing the full range of human emotions and conditions. He felt hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), fatigue (John 4:6), and sorrow (John 11:35). He also experienced temptation, as described in the account of His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), yet He remained without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus' human experiences were not limited to physical and emotional aspects; He also engaged in social and relational interactions. He formed deep friendships, as seen in His relationship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:5), and He showed compassion to the multitudes (Matthew 9:36).

Theological Significance

The full humanity of Jesus is crucial for several theological reasons. First, it affirms the reality of the Incarnation, where God truly became man. This is essential for the doctrine of the atonement, as only a fully human Jesus could represent humanity and bear the penalty for sin. As Paul writes, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

Moreover, Jesus' humanity allows Him to sympathize with human weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." This empathy provides believers with confidence to approach the throne of grace for help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Christological Controversies

Throughout church history, the full humanity of Jesus has been a point of contention, leading to various heresies. Docetism, an early heresy, denied Jesus' true humanity, claiming that He only appeared to be human. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD affirmed the doctrine of the hypostatic union, declaring that Jesus is fully God and fully man, two natures in one person, without confusion or separation.

Conclusion

The belief in Jesus being made fully human is foundational to Christian faith, providing a comprehensive understanding of His role as Savior and mediator. Through His humanity, Jesus fully identifies with the human condition, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.