Question 20: Jesus as Fully God and Fully Man

Read: Colossians 1:15-20
Listen: Colossians 1

Question: What does it mean that Jesus is fully God and fully man?

Answer: Jesus possesses a divine nature as the Son of God and a human nature, uniting them in one person.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20

In today’s passage, Paul presents Christ’s divine-human nature. Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”—the perfect representation of the unseen Father). He is “firstborn over all creation,” holding preeminence and sovereignty. Christ created and sustains all things. Yet, this eternal Creator became human. The phrase “all his fullness” emphasizes Christ’s complete deity—everything that makes him God dwells in Jesus. This divine Son “made peace through his blood,” pointing to his genuine humanity. The passage affirms the incarnation’s mystery: Jesus is both the eternal Creator God and the human Savior who died for people’s redemption, uniting both natures perfectly in one person.

This truth is essential to our salvation. If Jesus were merely human, his death couldn’t atone for the world’s sins. If Jesus were merely divine, he couldn’t truly represent us. As fully God, Jesus has the power to forgive sins and conquer death. As fully human, he experienced temptation and suffering, becoming our perfect high priest who empathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). The incarnation means God didn’t remain distant from our pain but entered it fully. When Jesus taught, healed and died, humanity witnessed perfect humanity and divine love. His resurrection vindicates both his sacrifice and divine identity, revealing that our faith rests on the God-man who conquered death.

TODAY: Take a moment to consider all that you’ve learned about Jesus and feel wonder. Thank him for becoming human while remaining fully God. Reflect on how his divinity gives you confidence in his power to save, while his humanity assures you he understands your struggles. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and approach God boldly, knowing your high priest is divine and human.

Learn more about Jesus and other questions our congregation has asked in our bonus episode of the Beyond the Weekend Podcast today.