Robert from Florida calls in and asks Patrick if Jesus, while fully God and fully human, “held back” His divine power out of humility. Did Jesus limit himself or have to “check in” with God the Father for the strength to perform miracles? 🤔

Patrick’s Explanation:

Fully God, Fully Human…All the Time! 🕊️

Patrick explains that Jesus didn’t put His divinity on “pause” during His time on Earth. He’s always fully God and fully human. From the moment of the Incarnation, He is a divine person with a perfect human nature: completely divine and yet subject to human limitations like hunger, fatigue, and learning.

Humanity: Not a Limitation, But a Mystery 🌍

Jesus took on all aspects of humanity but didn’t lose an ounce of His divinity. When Philippians 2 says, “He emptied himself,” it doesn’t mean He dropped His divinity. Instead, He chose not to “display” His divinity in a constant, obvious way: no radiant glow 24/7, no thunderous voice in daily life. He appeared as a humble servant, not as someone wielding divine powers at every moment.

Miracles? Yes, They Were Divine Power.

When it came to miracles like calming storms or raising Lazarus, Jesus didn’t need to ask the Father for a “boost.” His divine nature enabled those miracles. In His humanity, He did experience the fullness of human emotion and limitations, like praying for strength in Gethsemane.

Two Natures, One Divine Person 🔥

Patrick makes it clear that Jesus isn’t two separate beings but one divine person with both a divine and human nature. When He prays to the Father or says things like “the Father is greater than I,” that’s Jesus in His humanity acknowledging His relationship with the Father.

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding Jesus as both fully God and fully human helps us see how He can relate to us as a brother and intercessor while still being our Lord. He’s the ultimate bridge between God and humanity, fully identifying with us without ever giving up His divinity.

Need to dig deeper? Patrick suggests checking out The Incarnate Lord: A Thomistic Study in Christology by Fr. Thomas Joseph White: a super helpful exploration into this mystery.

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