Have you ever had someone you looked up to as a child — maybe a professional athlete, a musician, or a mentor? Pastor Josh White opened his message on November 5th with that very question, sharing that his childhood idol was Steve Largent, the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver. As kids, we naturally gravitate toward role models. But here’s the critical question: who are you modeling your life after today?
The Bible tells us that not only is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior — He is also our perfect example. We are called to follow in His steps, to live as He lived. And that raises a profound question: How can we possibly follow the example of God Himself? The answer lies in one of the most remarkable doctrines in Scripture — the humanity of Christ.
Fully God and Fully Human
When we talk about Jesus, we must understand two things at once: Jesus is fully God, and Jesus is fully human.
Colossians 1:15-16 makes clear His divine identity:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.”
— Colossians 1:15-16
Jesus is God — the second person of the Trinity, eternal, Creator of all things. John 1:1-3 reinforces this truth. And in John 8:58, Jesus Himself made an astonishing claim: “Before Abraham was, I am.” He was claiming the divine name of God.
But here’s where it gets deeply personal. At the same time Jesus was fully God, He was also fully human. Hebrews 2:14-17 explains why this had to be the case:
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery… For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
— Hebrews 2:14-17
Jesus became a human being for two reasons: first, to pay for our sins with a perfect sacrifice; and second, to be our perfect example of how to live.
Jesus Set Aside His Divine Powers
Think about this: Jesus, who is God, chose to live on this Earth as a regular human being. He set aside His omniscience. There are striking examples of this in the Gospels. In Luke 8, Jesus had to be told that His cousin John the Baptist had been killed. In Matthew 24, when the disciples asked when He would return, Jesus said, “I don’t know. Only the Father knows.”
Luke 2:52 tells us something remarkable about Jesus’ childhood: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” He wasn’t born with all knowledge downloaded into His brain. He had to learn — just like you and me.
Philippians 2:6-8 describes this incredible self-emptying:
“Though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
— Philippians 2:6-8
He never used His divine powers — not once. Why? Because if He had, our salvation would have been void. Satan knew this. When he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he said, “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.” But Jesus couldn’t do it. Our salvation was at stake.
Four Resources Jesus Used — And So Can You
Here’s the incredible part: Jesus didn’t live His human life as God. He lived it as you and I must live — dependent on the same resources available to every believer. And He wants us to use them too.
1. The Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and performed miracles through the Spirit’s power. Romans 8 teaches us that we too have the Spirit dwelling in us — the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.
2. Prayer. Over 40 times the Gospels mention Jesus slipping away to pray. Before major decisions — choosing His disciples, walking on water, going to the cross — He prayed. Prayer was the source of His strength and clarity of God’s will.
3. The Word of God. Jesus knew Scripture — over 90 times He quoted the Old Testament in the Gospels. And just like us, He had to learn it. It was through studying God’s Word that He understood His identity and mission.
4. Other Believers. Jesus didn’t do life alone. He lived in constant fellowship with the Father, the Holy Spirit, and His disciples. Romans 12:5 reminds us: “We, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” We need each other.
So What?
Here’s the take-away: Jesus lived the perfect human life — not as God, but as one of us. He had the same resources you have right now: the Holy Spirit, prayer, God’s Word, and community. And He did it without sin.
You will fail. You will stumble. But that’s why there’s grace. And that’s why we’re called to keep pressing on — not in our own strength, but in His.
Today, as we remember the body and blood of Christ at communion, let’s celebrate not just His deity — but His humanity. He left heaven’s throne, wrapped Himself in human flesh, and walked this Earth so that we could follow in His footsteps.
Scripture References
- Colossians 1:15-16 — The deity of Christ
- John 1:1-3 — The Word was God
- John 8:58 — “Before Abraham was, I AM”
- Hebrews 2:14-17 — Jesus became fully human
- Philippians 2:6-8 — Christ’s self-emptying
- Luke 2:52 — Jesus increased in wisdom
- Romans 8 — The Holy Spirit in us
- Romans 12:5 — One body in Christ
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 — Communion