Introduction
Today we are going to continue our preaching series entitled Christianity 101, as we explore our faith using the Apostles' Creed as our guide. Thus far we have looked at an overview of the importance of this creed, and the first three affirmations. Today we are going to look at the next fives affirmation, “I believe in Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was cruicified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead” as we seek to understand the depth of what it truly means to refer to Jesus as both human and divine.
Duality
How many of you have ever wanted to be a super hero? Come on now, admit it. How many of you have ever imagined that you could fly, had the strength of a thousand people, or could move things with your mind? I think we all, at one point or another, have had the fantasy. Right now the big draw at the movie box office is The Avengers. My boys love the Avengers. In fact, this past Halloween I dressed as Green Lantern, yes I know he is not an Avenger, but I like him anyway, Debbie dressed up as Captain America, Parker as Iron Man, and Wesley as The Mighty Thor. We were quite a collection. Each of those movies that have come out over the last several years, we have seen. So it was a given that we would see this latest one as well. Finally, a movie that brought all of these heroes together. But one thing that strikes me about these heroes is that most have another identity. Iron Man is really Tony Stark, Captain America is really Steve Rogers, and the Hulk is really Bruce Banner. They each live within a dual nature.
I tell you this not as means of comparison but as one of a progression. This morning we are talking about another hero that lived within a dual nature. However, his was not based on secret identities or super powers. His was based on love, done out of love, given out of love.
This morning we are looking at the dual nature of Jesus, the understanding that he was both fully human and fully divine
Incarnation
So let's talk about those natures as expressed in the Apostles' Creed. When we read the first affirmation we are looking at this morning, we read, “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” So how do we understand this dichotomy?
Now, Jesus has always been. John 1 tells us, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” So Jesus could have come into this earth, as an adult, as a heavenly being, all powerful, all mighty, and simply exerted his will upon humanity. He could have made everything quick and tidy. But there would have been something lacking had he done it that way. That something would have been the connection.
By being born that connection was made. But it was how he was born that is significant. First he was conceived by the Holy Spirit. As humans we are all born with the burden of original sin, Adam's sin in the garden. We are all born prone to be sinful. With Jesus being born not of another man, but of the Spirit, Jesus is considered to be the second Adam, the example of how humanity was intended to be. Here can choose obedience where the first Adam chose rebellion. Being born of the power of the Holy Spirit is where the divinity of Jesus Christ is established. But also being born of the Virgin Mary is where his humanity is established. The key word in this line is not so much virgin as it is born. The fact he was born and did not just appear or manifest himself. Born, just like you and me. This affirmation is where the great mystery of the incarnation is revealed. That is your theological word for the day, incarnation. It literally means, in the flesh. It is in this affirmation that we see God come down from on high, enter into this world in the same manner we do, and make himself known to us. He met us where we are in order to reveal himself to us.
This perfect balance of humanity and divinity was established in the baby Jesus. A dual nature that Jesus would never abuse, but instead used to establish relationship. A dual nature that could have saved him from incredible pain and humiliation, he lived and experienced for our benefit. A sign of solidarity that continues with the next affirmation.
Perfect Priest
Next we affirm that Jesus Christ, “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.” This affirmation centers on the cross. “For the Christian, the cross symbolizes the great intersection of God's holiness and God's grace at Christ's crucifixion. God's holiness demanded that sine be pain for; God's grace provided that payment for us!”1
For me this statement of belief is very important, and very comforting. As disciples of Jesus Christ we have all committed to one thing. That is to devote all that we are and all that we have to sovereign rule of Jesus Christ. Now, if I am going to devote myself to another person I need to feel a connection to that person. I need to feel like that person can understand the experiences I have had. Jesus giving his life for you and for me upon that cross, making himself the perfect priest, solidified that bond between God and humanity. We now have that perfect priest, that perfect intercessor, to draw us closer to God. By the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, we have seen God, felt God's grace, and experienced God's mercy. There is nothing we have experienced that Jesus did not as well. Jesus was born, we were born. Jesus suffered through life, we have suffered through life. We have felt anger, betrayal, hatred, injustice, fear, compassion, sorrow, and the list goes on and on. Jesus has felt those same emotions. There is not a situation, an emotion, a temptation, that we have felt, that Jesus has not endured as well. And just as we will all die, so did Jesus. In one of the most humiliating, painful, and horrible ways possible. Jesus was born, Jesus lived, and Jesus died, so that a solidarity between God and the human race could be established, making us all one family.
Today is Ascension Sunday
But Jesus was not done. Here is where his divinity is seen once again. After being born like us, living like us, and dying for us, “he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”
It is appropriate that we look at his ascension today, because it is Ascension Sunday. Jesus, after doing all he was asked to do, was rewarded. He ascended to take his place at God's right hand. Now this is not referring solely to location but more of role. As the incarnation, Jesus was limited by his human body, but now Jesus reigns in every place and rules in all places, living as the second person of the Trinity. Jesus has taken his rightful place as ruler and king, working in us and through us to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.
The Season Finale
And one of those aspects of his rule is that, “thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” This affirmation expresses our belief that Jesus will return to us, the second coming, and after that return, will judge us. But for those that believe, when asked what is it that you have done to deserve eternity?; and our only answer is to hang our head and reply, 'nothing'. Jesus will answer, welcome home.
Conclusion
This creed does a spectacular job at touching on many of the capstones of our faith, and this middle section speaking about Jesus is filled with incredible truths. Truths about the nature of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the rule of Jesus. All of this aimed at helping us understand the nature and depth of Jesus the Christ.
I pray that this portion of the Apostles' Creed brings you comfort. Comfort in knowing Jesus, your King, understands what it is you are going through. That Jesus came down from his throne to bridge the divide between God and humanity. That Jesus willingly gave of his own life, so that we could all enjoy an eternity in paradise.
If you have never understood that truth, I invite you to come to this altar rail and experience it for the first time in prayer. If you know it but it has been a long time since you experienced it, come to this rail and pray. If you simply just want to bask in the glory of Jesus Christ himself, come to this rail and pray. Jesus is here and he is eager to be with you.
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1. Tennet, Timothy. This We Believe!. Published by Seedbed, 2012.
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