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Christ in the Flesh

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 8, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 36.

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Christ in the Flesh

By L. A. HANSEN

L. A. HANSEN
The contemplation of the theme of Christ dwelling in flesh does not necessarily lead to the errors of pantheism or to fanatical views of holiness. It is a Bible theme of the greatest importance, and it would indeed be a serious mistake not to give it careful study and consideration.
The experience presented in Gal. 2:20 is not one that is accidental with the Christian. It is absolutely essential. It is the life of the Christian. It is the demonstration of the teaching of Christ concerning his dwelling in the person of each of his followers. It is the revelation of the mystery that Paul speaks of as “Christ in you the hope of glory,”
This union of the divine with the human was demonstrated when “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” As we see how divinity once dwelt in humanity, we can the better understand how Christ can now live in flesh, even in our own. That it was of our own flesh and blood that he took part, is told as plainly as language can tell it in Heb. 2:14. This union of Christ with humanity was not made when man was at his best, when he was upright. “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Gal. 4:4. The prophecies of Christ’s first advent were fulfilled when “Jesus Christ our Lord . . . was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Rom. 1:3.
Christ joined man at his weakest point. Man was four thousand years in sin when Jesus “was made in the likeness of men.” Phil. 2:7. He went to the lowest depth of man’s lot. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Verse 8.
What could not otherwise be done, because of the weakness of the flesh, was accomplished by “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” Rom. 8:3. Thus was sin, that which caused weakness in the flesh, condemned “in the flesh.”
Christ must now reach us as individuals at our weakest point. It is there that we are the most helpless, where we need him the most. We can reach no higher than ourselves; he must reach down to us. Our infirmities become the touch-point of union with him. By the most intimate relation with them is he “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Heb. 4:15.
As represented by Jacob’s ladder, which was set up on earth and whose top reached to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, Christ now reaches from the throne of grace to us, and through him we receive help for every time of need. There is nothing we need that he can not supply.
“The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal throne. He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward him as the Saviour. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength of our temptations; for he was ‘in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.’ He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal.”—“Ministry of Healing,” page 71.
Takoma Park, D. C.