Why no two Jesuses?

Last week, I was talking to an acquaintance, and she posed an interesting question. What was most interesting is the fact that I’d never been asked this particular question, and I had to think about it. In fact, I told her that I’d have to think about an answer and get back to her.

So, the first lesson is this: if you’re ever asked a question about Christianity, and you don’t know the answer, DON’T:

1. Panic.
2. Make up an answer.
3. Dismiss the question as nonsense.

Rather, just tell the person, “That’s a great question. I’ve never been asked that before. Can you give me a few days to think about it?” Then go home and think about it. Ask questions of people who might know how to respond. Pray.

Okay, back to the question. These are my words, but she asked something like Why did God only come once? She was interested in understanding why it was only through Jesus two thousand years ago that God decided to reveal himself to humans. Why not give us another revelation? Isn’t two thousand years plenty of time to wait?

I’ve been thinking about this for nearly a week now, and I think I have a response. I, at least, have the makings of a response.

There is a distinction to be made between the person of Christ and the work of Christ. When someone asks, “Why did God come only in Jesus?” there are two appropriate answers to give, but each answer turns on whether we’re talking about the person, Jesus, or the work which he performed.

The Work of Jesus

When we talk about the work of Jesus, we’re interested in understanding why Jesus came and died and how his death, burial, and resurrection atoned for our sin. If this is what my friend was getting after in her question, the answer is rather straightforward. Jesus died once for all. That is, he was the perfect sacrifice that needed to be made only one time, and that one time was sufficient to cover the sin of everyone who would call on his name in faith.

The Person of Jesus

When we talk about the person of Jesus, we’re interested in understanding who Jesus was as both a full-fledged human and as God. Our claim is that Jesus was indeed fully human and fully God; he was “of the same essence” as the Father. Jesus was God incarnate. If my friend’s question was directed at the person of Jesus, then that question was something like “Why hasn’t God come to us more than just this one time which was a very long time ago?”

This is interesting indeed. God certainly could have incarnated himself over and over again, and there are other religions, Hinduism for example, that do have their gods showing up in physical form throughout human history. So, what is it that’s so special about the God of the Bible that he only came once through Jesus? Why can’t he come to convince us today? Certainly more miracles and another resurrection would help the unbeliever out, right?

Well, not exactly. First, let’s get the concept of “revelation” straight. To say that God has revealed himself is to say that he has made himself known to us. Revelation is an act of self-disclosure. Second, there has been only one incarnation of God, and that happened in Jesus. But, it is false to think that the only act of self-disclosure God has brought about is the incarnation. In fact, while there has been only one incarnation, there have been, and continue to be, grand acts of Divine self-disclosure.

Yes, the incarnation of Jesus was the fullest revelation we’ve had, but God has also disclosed his nature, power, love, and goodness through nature, through the Bible, through the church, and through the convicting work of his Holy Spirit (who is also God). And all of these various acts of revelation have caused all humans to be without excuse.

Would yet another act of revelation help the unbeliever? Would another incarnation do the trick? Probably not, well, at least not for everyone. Some people did follow Jesus during his earthly ministry. Nevertheless, plenty of people were shouting, “Crucify him!” too. In fact, at the crucifixion we see Jew and Roman there together. That’s representative of the covenant people of God (Israel) and all the Gentile nations (since the Romans ruled to known world at the time of Jesus). They were together for one purpose, the murder of God. The unbeliever’s problem is not a lack of evidence. The unbeliever’s problem is treason, a willful subversion of the rule and reign of Christ. Thus, if God were to incarnate himself again, he would likely end up in the same boat: crucified. Sinners hate God and want him gone.

You don’t believe me? Well, there is going to be one final act of self-disclosure. We don’t call the last book of the New Testament “Revelation” for nothing. Jesus is going to come back in glory and power. The unbelievers of the earth will be waiting for him, but they will be waiting with weapons in hand to fight against him. Of course, it does not bode well for them.

At bottom, both the person and work of Jesus are sufficient to bring about salvation in all who call on him in faith. Evidence is not the real problem. God’s hiddeness is not the real problem. The problem is that sinners reject the All-Sufficient One. They close their eyes and stop their ears only to shout, “We can’t see him! We can’t hear his voice! There is no evidence!”

We should pray, “Lord, open their eyes and unstop their ears so that they may see your glory and that they may hear your call and be saved.”