Divinity of Christ

The author demonstrates a great sign of love for God when they bless, showing that they are not overly joyful about suffering for Christ, but rather, they are showing great love.

If those who suffered repented, their sin was forgiven, as seen in the example of Paul, who had thrown many stones and persecuted the Church, yet became a leader of the Church.

The Scripture passage being read was about a sheep being led to slaughter, and it says, 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth' (Isaiah 53:7).

In this passage, although the sheep is suffering, it does not attack those who are shearing it, and similarly, Christ, when insulted, did not insult back, and when suffering, He did not threaten.

The shepherds lead the sheep to be sheared at the right time, according to the season, and they bring scissors to shear them, but the sheep do not attack those doing this, illustrating Christ's meekness.

The mystery of Christ's birth according to the flesh is believed to have been accomplished beyond nature, and therefore, it is said that His generation cannot be declared.

It is also said that His life is taken away from the earth, yet it is lifted up and is higher than those on earth, that is, His citizenship.

His life is also taken away in another sense, and is above all, that is, the existence of the Only-Begotten, when He was outside the flesh and not yet according to us.

The question arises, who was I to hinder God?

A certain economy occurred because of the great distinction of those from circumcision who believed before baptism, so that those around Cornelius were deemed worthy of the Spirit, in order to stop the murmuring of the discontented.

As John completed his course, he said, 'What do you suppose me to be? I am not, but behold one coming after me, of whom I am not worthy to loosen the shoe of his feet' (Matthew 3:11).

Having heard this, the contradicting ones became silent (as seen in Acts 11:18).

For it is the work of the all-surpassing substance to show those approaching it to be partakers of the Holy Spirit and divine nature, and this exists in Christ not by participation or sharing from another, but inherently and substantially, for He baptizes in the Holy Spirit.

Thus, the incarnate Word is God and fruit of God and Father, and when He became human, as one Son with the flesh inseparably and incomprehensibly united to Him, He did not lose His divinity.

The blessed Baptist said that this one would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire, and he acknowledged that even he was not worthy to loosen the strap of His shoes, implying that Christ has feet and shoes, but only in His human form, not in His divine nature.