Digging Deeper – Why God Became Man
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Luke 23:32-38 (ESV)
WHY GOD BECAME MAN
In the late 11th century St. Anselm the archbishop of Canterbury wrote a book entitled Cur Deus Homo (or, in English, Why God Became Man). In this theological masterpiece, he considers why it was necessary for the Incarnation to take place to redeem mankind. His reasoning goes something like this:
- Man’s sin rendered him indebted to God
- Man, being of lowly estate, cannot repay to God that which He is due
- Only God could be capable of paying such a debt, though it would not be fitting because it is not His debt to pay
- Therefore, only one who was truly man and truly God could redeem humanity
This reasoning is consistent with the Scriptures. In Colossians 1:19-20 Paul states, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” It is at the cross that this debt is paid in the person of Christ, making forgiveness possible for mankind. But the cross is more than just that. It is also victory. Just as Jesus came into the world “to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), he also came to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). St. Anselm also puts it like this, “The devil, who defeated the man whom he beguiled through the taste of a tree, should himself similarly be defeated through tree-induced suffering, which he, the devil, inflicted.” When these things are considered, it is beautiful that our redemption should be procured in this way.
On this Good Friday, we stand in awe of the fact that God, in His grace, would offer us not only forgiveness, but also the victory anticipated in the resurrection of Easter morning.
Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.