The Nicene Creed: Part 4

What Do We Believe?

by Brandon Jubar

"Through him all things were made."

"Wait a minute," he interrupted. "I asked you what you believe. All you're doing is reciting the Apostle's Creed. Is that all Catholic's can do? Memorize a few prayers?"

His comment broke my train of thought. We were standing backstage, and only a handful of stage hands shared the theater with us. As I stopped and looked at this Christian Rock guitar player, he gave me a condescending look and shook his head in disgust.

"It's the Nicene Creed," I stated. "And it's what I believe. I just stood here for five minutes, listening to you quote scripture to me from memory. Is that all you can do? Memorize a few passages from the Bible?"

He started to speak, but I cut him off. "Now you wait a minute. I let you say your piece. And I really listened to what you had to say. So do the same for me and let me finish. And try to really listen."

He took a half-step back and looked down his nose at me. It was obvious that he wanted to say something more, but his mouth closed tight. I paused briefly, and then continued...

"For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary,
and became man."

Jesus Christ... Come On Down!

Have you ever wondered why God would even bother to become man?

The answer, of course, is in our profession of faith. God became man in order to bring us salvation. It was the only way for us to be reconciled with the Father. Because Jesus is both the son of God and the son of man, his very existence is a reconciliation of God and man.

Who better to mediate between two parties than someone who is affiliated with both? In the person of Jesus, we have such a dual affiliation. Jesus has both a human nature and a divine nature. His divinity was not absorbed by his humanity... the two natures are perfectly balanced in Jesus.

Mother of God

Mary was chosen from the moment of her conception to be the mother of Jesus. She was shielded from the stain of original sin. And throughout her life, she was protected from personal sin. She stayed pure, remaining a virgin, through conception of her Son, pregnancy, birth, nursing... ever a virgin. Ever pure.

And Mary truly is the "Mother of God". Though it was Jesus to whom she gave birth, he is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. A triune God. One God with three natures... but one God nonetheless. So, when we speak of Mary as the Mother of God, it really does make sense.

Jesus is one with the Father and one with the Holy Spirit. Mary gave birth to him, so she is the mother of Jesus. Yet because of Jesus' nature, it is even more appropriate for Mary to be called the Mother of God.

Who's the Man?

Mankind was drifting. We were getting further and further away from God. So God, through the Holy Spirit, sent us his Son -- the ultimate mediator between God and man. And to this day, the only way to reconcile ourselves with the Father is through Jesus.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me."

As I paused momentarily, the words rang in my ears.
"...he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man."

Life Applications:

What do you think of when you hear the word "salvation"?
Do you think you are a good person? Is being a "good person" enough to guarantee your salvation?
What do you think Mary was actually like?
How would a person act who is truly without sin? Would you know that person if you met her or him?

Copyright 2001-2009 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.