The Incarnation of Christ: Understanding the 37th Question of the Westminster Larger Catechism

One of the most important elements of Christian theology is the reality that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. Both are essential. In the 37th question of the Westminster Larger Catechism, we look deeper at the humanity of Christ.

"How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?" The answer states: "Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, yet without sin."

The humanity of Christ is vital for our faith and hope. It reassures us that our Savior is not distant but very much present in our lives. He is able to relate to our experiences and serve as our substitute in atonement.

The Incarnation: A Mystery of Divine Love

The doctrine of the Incarnation—where God takes on humanity—invites us into a profound mystery. This striking concept reveals that the infinite God chooses to embrace humanity's limitations. In Christ, God fully understands our struggles and joys. When the catechism says that Christ took on a "true body" and "reasonable soul," the writers acknowledge that Christ fully engaged in the human experience. For instance, in Matthew 4:2, after fasting for forty days, He felt genuine hunger—a relatable experience for many of us. This reality challenges any idea that God is far removed from our everyday lives. In his humanity, Christ weeps, feels hunger, gets tired, and experiences loss. These things are not present in the unchanging nature of God. This is truly a mystery. There are many things in Scripture that we are told happen without being given a full explanation of how they happen. We need to understand that it does happen, but be careful about attempting to go too far into explaining details that we are not told. Still, there is a lot that we can learn from Scripture about the incarnation.

Relating to Our Humanity

Because of Christ’s true humanity, He can genuinely sympathize with our experiences. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that He is “not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” This means he has felt every temptation we face, and He overcame them all. For example, He remained steadfast when faced with the temptation in the desert. Here, we are not saying that the Lord faced the exact same temptations that we do; after all, it would be anachronistic to say that Jesus faced the specific temptation of internet pornography. What is being said is that there are no new temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13).

His humanity invites us into a relationship that is real and personal. The Lord Jesus Christ does not observe our struggles from a distance; He walks alongside us. When we experience abandonment, hurt, loneliness, temptation, and struggle, we can take comfort in the fact that Christ faced similar trials. His moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He wrestled with the weight of betrayal and impending suffering, mirrors our own moments of distress.

Additionally, our Savior’s humanity gives Him a profound understanding of loss and sorrow. In John 11:35, Jesus weeps at the death of Lazarus, revealing that He understands our grief deeply.

The Importance of Sinlessness

While Christ took on a true human nature, an essential aspect is that He was “yet without sin.” His sinless existence sets Him apart from all of us. By living a life free from sin, He perfectly fulfilled God’s law. This makes Him the ideal substitute for our sins—a cornerstone of the doctrine of penal substitution.

Imagine if Christ had sinned. He could not bear the burden of our transgressions. His role as our mediator relies on His perfection. He needed to satisfy God's justice while willingly offering Himself as the "Lamb without blemish." Because He took on our real human nature and remained sinless, He paved the way for our reconciliation with God.

Strengthening Our Faith

Recognizing Christ’s humanity and sinless life has a profound impact on our faith. Repentance and faith in Him mean entering into a relationship with someone who comprehends our struggle fully. We are not just justified but adopted into the family of God. This understanding can transform our prayer life. Knowing that Christ intercedes for us helps remove barriers of shame. We approach God confidently, aware that He understands our emotional and spiritual ups and downs. Christ's role as our intercessor is a source of profound comfort. Knowing that He fully understands our challenges allows us to approach God boldly. This empowered stance encourages us to seek His mercy, filled with confidence that we are understood and forgiven. He knows our thoughts before we think them, and yet he calls us to lean into him.

Additionally, this understanding invites a heart of gratitude. When we appreciate the depth of His sacrifice, it inspires worship and motivates us to live in obedience. The God who created the universe willingly became part of that creation. This humbling truth encourages us to reflect His love and grace in our lives.

Our Calling as Believers

As believers, we are called to emulate the life of Christ. Although we may be flawed and hindered by sin, we are continuously being transformed into His likeness. This mission involves showing compassion, sympathy, mercy, and grace toward others.

Reflecting on the Incarnation

The 37th question of the Westminster Larger Catechism highlights the deep mystery of the Incarnation. In a world often filled with uncertainty, we firmly grasp the truth that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. This core belief provides hope and assurance that Christ walks with us through our trials. His humanity allows Him to relate to us intimately, advocating for our needs before the Father.

As we consider the significance of Christ's humanity, may our hearts respond in worship. Let us seek to live out His mercy and grace daily. Ultimately, Christ is not just our Savior but our Lord, mediator, and adopted brother, who changed history and our eternal destinies.

Soli Deo Gloria