“For that which He has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved.” This affirmation, attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the 4th Century “Cappadocian Fathers,” who articulately defended the biblical view of Christ in the face of heretical challenges, succinctly captures the fulness of the salvation that has been accomplished through the obedience of Christ. In particular, Gregory was exposing the implications of teachings offered by a man named Apollinaris of Laodicea, who claimed that the Son of God could not have assumed a human mind when he assumed our existence.
The historic teaching of the two natures of Christ, the coexistence of the divine nature and the human nature in the one person, admits that it is a mystery, but the fact of it cannot be yielded. For, as Gregory teaches, if the Word made flesh did not take on all of our existence (with the exception of our sin) then we humans remain in bondage to ourselves with no hope of rescue. Sin has so affected us that there is nothing about us that is left untouched by its destructive power. Our bodies are filled with decay and inevitable death, and our hearts and minds are prone to idolatry. We need a savior who accomplishes a full and complete salvation. This is precisely what was the Word made flesh, Immanuel, God with Us, did.
That he had a body like ours is evident in that he became tired, hungry, and thirsty; that he possessed a soul like ours is evident in that he cried, became angry, felt compassion, agonized, and loved. He also obeyed the rules of logic and could, therefore, communicate with people, express ideas. All this to say, that when the Word became flesh, he became all that we are to redeem all that we are. But if any portion of us was not assumed by our Savior then we are not saved.
But it all was assumed by the Word become flesh, God incarnate. Beginning with conception, through gestation, birth, and maturity unto death, Immanuel lived our life and, as a result, was the perfect Redeemer. One day we will experience the fulness of his salvation when we stand in the new heavens and earth with glorified bodies and incorruptible minds. That is a destiny guaranteed by the One who healed us, body and soul.
May we join the angels in singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
