Did Jesus limit his divine attributes while on earth?

The question of whether Jesus limited His divine attributes while on earth is a profound and complex one that has been the subject of theological discussion and debate for centuries. This inquiry touches on the mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on human flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). To adequately address this question, we must delve into the nature of Christ, the concept of kenosis, and the scriptural evidence that speaks to Jesus' divine and human natures.

The Nature of Christ

Christian theology asserts that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, a doctrine known as the Hypostatic Union. This means that in the person of Jesus, two complete natures—divine and human—are united without mixture, confusion, division, or separation. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD articulated this doctrine to affirm that Jesus is "truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin."

Understanding this union is crucial to addressing whether Jesus limited His divine attributes. The divine nature of Christ possesses all the attributes of deity: omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, and immutability. The human nature, on the other hand, is finite and limited. The mystery lies in how these two natures coexist in one person.

The Concept of Kenosis

The term "kenosis" comes from the Greek word "kenoo," meaning "to empty." This concept is derived from Philippians 2:5-8, which says:

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

This passage suggests that Jesus, while retaining His divine nature, "emptied" Himself in some way. Theologians have debated the extent and nature of this self-emptying. Some argue that Jesus temporarily relinquished the independent exercise of His divine attributes. Others contend that He veiled His divine glory and voluntarily refrained from using certain divine prerogatives.

Scriptural Evidence

To understand how Jesus might have limited His divine attributes, we must examine the Gospel accounts that provide glimpses into His earthly ministry.

Omniscience

Jesus demonstrated His divine knowledge on several occasions. For instance, He knew the thoughts of the Pharisees (Matthew 9:4), the history of the Samaritan woman (John 4:18), and the fate of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). However, there are instances where Jesus appears to limit His knowledge. In Mark 13:32, Jesus says, "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This statement indicates that in His human nature, Jesus did not exercise His omniscience regarding the timing of His return.

Omnipotence

Jesus' miracles—such as calming the storm (Mark 4:39), feeding the five thousand (John 6:10-13), and raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44)—demonstrate His divine power. Yet, Jesus also experienced human limitations. He grew tired (John 4:6), was hungry (Matthew 4:2), and suffered physical pain (John 19:28-30). These human experiences show that while Jesus possessed divine power, He chose to experience the full range of human limitations.

Omnipresence

As God, Jesus is omnipresent, but during His earthly ministry, He was confined to a physical body and specific locations. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared in different places, yet He was still limited by His physical form until His ascension. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." This assurance indicates His continued divine presence with His followers, even though He is no longer physically present on earth.

Theological Implications

The doctrine of kenosis does not imply that Jesus ceased to be God or that He lost any of His divine attributes. Instead, it suggests that He voluntarily refrained from fully exercising His divine powers to live a genuinely human life. This self-limitation was not a subtraction of deity but an addition of humanity. Jesus' divine nature remained fully intact, but He chose to live within the constraints of human existence.

This self-emptying serves several purposes. First, it allowed Jesus to fully identify with humanity. Hebrews 2:17-18 states, "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." By experiencing human limitations, Jesus became a compassionate and understanding mediator between God and humanity.

Second, Jesus' self-limitation underscores the humility and selflessness of His mission. Philippians 2:5-8 highlights that Jesus, though equal with God, did not cling to His divine privileges but humbled Himself to serve and save humanity. This humility is a model for Christians to emulate in their own lives.

Historical and Theological Perspectives

Throughout church history, various theologians have grappled with the implications of Jesus' self-limitation. The early church fathers, such as Athanasius and Augustine, emphasized the full divinity and humanity of Christ, while later theologians like Thomas Aquinas explored the interplay between Jesus' divine and human natures.

In the modern era, theologians like Karl Barth and Jürgen Moltmann have contributed to the discussion of kenosis. Barth emphasized that Jesus' self-emptying was an act of divine love and humility, while Moltmann focused on the suffering and vulnerability of Christ as central to understanding God's solidarity with humanity.

Conclusion

The question of whether Jesus limited His divine attributes while on earth is ultimately a mystery that transcends human comprehension. The doctrine of the Hypostatic Union affirms that Jesus is fully God and fully man, and the concept of kenosis suggests that He voluntarily refrained from fully exercising His divine powers to live a genuinely human life. Scriptural evidence shows that while Jesus possessed divine knowledge, power, and presence, He chose to experience human limitations.

This self-limitation allowed Jesus to fully identify with humanity, serve as a compassionate mediator, and model humility and selflessness. The theological implications of this mystery have been explored by theologians throughout church history, contributing to a deeper understanding of the Incarnation.

In the end, the mystery of the Incarnation invites us to marvel at the depth of God's love and the lengths to which He went to redeem humanity. As we contemplate the person of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the profound truth that "in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9), and that through His life, death, and resurrection, we are offered the gift of eternal life.