EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7A

IV. Assumed Liabilities of Human Nature

The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery, “even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations.” It is the great and profound mystery of Godliness.... 7ABC 449.1

Christ did not make believe take human nature; He did verily take it. He did in reality possess human nature. “As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same.” He was the son of Mary; He was of the seed of David according to human descent.—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906. 7ABC 449.2

He came to this world in human form, to live a man amongst men. He assumed the liabilities of human nature, to be proved and tried. In His humanity He was a partaker of the divine nature. In His incarnation He gained in a new sense the title of the Son of God.—The Signs of the Times, August 2, 1905. 7ABC 449.3

But our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear which He has not endured.—The Desire of Ages, 117. 7ABC 449.4

Christ bore the sins and infirmities of the race as they existed when He came to the earth to help man. In behalf of the race, with the weaknesses of fallen man upon Him, He was to stand the temptations of Satan upon all points wherewith man would be assailed.—The Review and Herald, July 28, 1874. 7ABC 449.5

Jesus was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He shared the lot of man; yet He was the blameless Son of God. He was God in the flesh. His character is to be ours.—The Desire of Ages, 311. 7ABC 449.6

The human nature of Christ is likened to ours, and suffering was more keenly felt by Him; for His spiritual nature was free from every taint of sin. Therefore His desire for the removal of suffering was stronger than human beings can experience.... 7ABC 449.7

The Son of God endured the wrath of God against sin. All the accumulated sin of the world was laid upon the Sin-bearer, the One who was innocent, the One who alone could be the propitiation for sin, because He Himself was obedient. He was One with God. Not a taint of corruption was upon Him.—The Signs of the Times, December 9, 1897. 7ABC 449.8

As one with us, He must bear the burden of our guilt and woe. The Sinless One must feel the shame of sin.... Every sin, every discord, every defiling lust that transgression had brought, was torture to His spirit.—The Desire of Ages, 111. 7ABC 450.1

The weight of the sins of the world was pressing His soul, and His countenance expressed unutterable sorrow, a depth of anguish that fallen man had never realized. He felt the overwhelming tide of woe that deluged the world. He realized the strength of indulged appetite and of unholy passion that controlled the world.—The Review and Herald, August 4, 1874. 7ABC 450.2

Entire justice was done in the atonement. In the place of the sinner, the spotless Son of God received the penalty, and the sinner goes free as long as he receives and holds Christ as his personal Saviour. Though guilty, he is looked upon as innocent. Christ fulfilled every requirement demanded by justice.—The Youth's Instructor, April 25, 1901. 7ABC 450.3

Guiltless, He bore the punishment of the guilty. Innocent, yet offering Himself as a substitute for the transgressor. The guilt of every sin pressed its weight upon the divine soul of the world's Redeemer.—The Signs of the Times, December 5, 1892. 7ABC 450.4

He took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature, that He might know how to succor those that are tempted.—Medical Ministry, 181. 7ABC 450.5