Divinity in Human Form
John 1:14
Introduction:
In this text we find the essential element of believing faith. Not how to believe. Nor, what we believe. But, in whom we believe. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 Paul tells us just what the gospel is. He says in verse 3 “…Christ died for our sins.” Christ! Before we can even contemplate anything else he may say in this chapter regarding the gospel, we must understand who Christ is! Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. This identification of Christ is precisely what John is speaking of in this first chapter of his gospel. Let us look together at this wondrous verse. “And the Word became flesh…” The Word, the incarnate Word, the Word that was with God in the beginning, and was God, as it describes in verse one, has now become flesh.
We see then that…I. VERY GOD BECOMES VERY FLESH. Here’s where the world has trouble, for it doubts this foundational element of Christ’s nature. Christ is God! Jesus may have looked as human as anyone else in his day, but He sure acted differently. How many miracles did He perform? How many times did He prove His wisdom superior to everyone else’? Even after questioning Him, Pilot could find no fault in Him. And yet, even in the face of this overwhelming Biblical evidence, the world has decided it cannot believe it. After all, God becoming flesh? We also find that the disbelief is proportionate to the lack of faith in scriptural authority. It seems no one believes the Bible to be the very word of God. With the release of the Davinci code and the overall response at the box office by the general public, I’d say people are just looking for a reason to discredit the Bible. Most people I talk with think that it’s just a good book written by man. Also many tell me that it’s filled with contradictions, in spite of the fact that they can’t name one. So pervasive is this attack upon the credibility of the Bible that even Christians feel it necessary to organize societies for fear that man would do away with it altogether. Well, man has tried to stop it since the beginning, yet to no avail. You see, we don’t have to worry about the Bible, God is seeing to that. In first Peter chapter one verse twenty five, we read “But the word of the Lord endureth forever.” No plot of man or Satan can destroy it. Even in places such as Red China where it is illegal to have a Bible, thousands of copies are distributed every day. Copies exist on the web where Chinese Believers can access them through computers. Portions of the scriptures are memorized and written down by others. In short, man will never succeed in eradicating it. People may not believe it, movies and books may be produced to dispel it, but, God’s word claims it to be so; the Word became flesh! The foundation of the expiation of man’s sin by Christ lies on the fact that Jesus is God. Any other interpretation of the nature of Christ, cannot save.
The next thing we see in the text is II. GOD DWELLING WITH MAN. The Old Testament sites examples of God coming to earth and appearing in human form. Abraham is visited by the Angel of the LORD, who is called Jehovah in the text (See Genesis 19:24). Even Moses when he saw the LORD it was God appearing in Human form. Some see this to be the pre-incarnate Christ. But now the gospel record declares that God (Word) became flesh and dwelt among us. The Greek word translated in our text dwelt, properly means to tabernacle. Although God cannot be contained in one place, nor is He limited at any time in power or sovereignty, the Old Testament gives us an example of God dwelling with man when the Glory of God dwelt in the Temple. Now we see Jesus the Christ who is God, dwelling with man. And after the resurrection of Christ, God dwells in the believer, which is the true Temple of the living God. Yet, where we see Jesus living amongst man, we see the mercy of God and the compassion of God for His lost creation. Man also had the perfect opportunity to see an example of what the character of Adam would have looked like; i.e. man without sin as created by God and in His image. Is it not true that He that dwelt among us did so that He may dwell within us, and we in Him? This unique relationship began at the first advent of Christ. How much more we look forward unto the second advent of Christ, when we shall rule and reign with Him as He dwells among men once again on this earth; yet, as the sovereign, just, ruler.
The third thing we find in this verse is III. THE RECOGNITION OF THE GLORY OF GOD. John says, “and we beheld His glory…” Oh to look in the face of the Savior and to see His glory! At best in this world we get an occasional glimpse of some good in a man, the result of some purity of heart and action. Yet, is not this but a taste of the true glory that alone is in Christ? I can hear John exclaiming these words with all the emotion and conviction he could muster. It is obvious that it was a life changing experience for he and the other apostles. Many people say they’ve had a life changing experience, though, is what John describes the same? I think not. John was not saying that something wonderful took place that caused him to merely think differently, he was describing that he had seen in Christ all the glory of God and that glory was what made him realize that nothing in this world could come even close to it’s preciousness. What the apostles beheld, changed their lives forever! After Jesus’ ascension these cowardly fishermen became bold proponents of the faith, right up to death. What about you? Have you seen the glory of God in Christ? One would say how can I, we’re expected to just believe it, take it by faith. Yet, faith is not blind faith. We need to see the evidence around us. Every born again believer is to reflect the glory of God in Christ. Every changed life is a reflection of the glory of God in Christ. We cannot say that we haven’t seen Christ, because we’ve seen him in every one who has been redeemed by His precious blood and received the indwelling Spirit of God. Every one of us knows the truth of this statement. The natural man understands not the things of the Spirit of God, but the Christian understands perfectly. Jesus said Himself in the seventeenth chapter of John that He is in us and the Father in Him. I remember what it was like when I was lost. I thought I knew what righteousness was; me living a good life, having merit with God. What a fool! Real change came through faith in Christ. I have seen the glory of God and it is wonderful! I also realize that the glory is His alone. The scripture reads, “…as of the only begotten of the Father…” Ah, yes! I see. This glory is His alone as the glory is only shared in the Godhead. Here the heretic will break stride. Either Christ is God or our faith is vain. No archangel, perfect man, or created being could ever redeem man from the imputation of Adam’s sin. Only God the Son.
Fourthly, we see IV. GRACE AND TRUTH ABOUNDING IN HIM.
Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 says, “For by grace are ye saved…” We understand grace to be favor which is unmerited. We did not earn it, nothing within us manifested it, it is completely given freely by God. John now tells us that grace abounded in Christ. Jesus says Himself in the gospel of John chapter six verse thirty seven that all who come to Him, He will in no way cast out. It certainly is comforting to understand the preciousness of this promise from God, that He will in no way cast me out. Grace is an extraordinary thing, it goes further than my will or desire. It is security to the troubled soul. God will not cast me away! Wonderful! John also says that truth abounds in Him. Does not he also say in this same gospel chapter 14 verse six that He is the way, and the truth? He does not only represent truth or teach truth, but is truth! Funny, the world can’t see this! Even Pilate asked Jesus, what is truth? But John describes the Man full of grace and truth. This brings me back to what I said earlier, that the natural man cannot see or understand spiritual things. At first, the disciples did not see the fullness of grace and truth in Jesus; but after they were enlightened by the Spirit of God, they saw through the cloak which He veiled His glory. John understood well and perceived the fullness of this truth in Christ.
In keeping with the theme of the verse, and in light of the celebration of the Christmas season, John reveals that the birth of Christ is an amazing event. This particular scripture is not usually used as describing the nativity of our Savior’s birth, yet how powerful is the truth put forth; “and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” The babe in the manger is God in the flesh. Is it too unbelievable?
