John 1: 1-2,14:Word Became Flesh
By Rev. Andrew B Natarajan
“theiyinal suttapin ullarum arathey navinal suttavadu ”(Tamil saying: the scar of the fire will go but not the scars of the words) The word is more powerful, it can hurt or heal. It can put a person down or lift to the height. The Word of God is living and active. It is eternal and everlasting. It was breathed by God. It inspired by the Spirit of God.
Flesh is weak (Mt 26:52), prone to infirmities, death and decay (Rm. 7:24. 8:13). Flesh is completely made of the particles of clay, iron, and other chemicals. A chemical reacts to other chemicals. Flesh always against God and His principles. (Rm.8:8& Jas 4:4). Flesh is lustful (Gal 5:16 &19-21lists the works of the flesh). Flesh never allows good to dwell in it (Rm. 7:18). Flesh serves Sin (Rm. 7:25).
Flesh has the mind. Mind is depraved (Rm. 1:28) Sinful mind is hostile to God (Rm. 8:7) Living in the futility of thinking (Eph. 4:17, Col 1:21). Mind is corrupted (Tit 1;15). It has wicked thoughts (Pr. 15:26). The flesh and mind allows the evil thoughts to dwell in them and entertains them (Mk. 9:4 & Mt 15:19). The imaginations of the mind are evil wicked schemes (Pr. 6:18. & Gen. 6:5). Heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9)
We are sensual beings.The flesh (or sin nature) desires what is pleasing to the senses. Our senses draw our attention to the things of this world that we do not already have: more education; a better job; new clothes; a bigger dwelling; more food; a shinier car; less demanding relationships; compassionate friends; sexier look and more accepting mate... our emotions clearly reveal that fallen, sensual nature. Desires that are not satisfied cause us to feel hurt, disappointed, rejected, frustrated, and angry. The flesh is always worried about not getting its way –having what is good for us–having what we rightly deserve. Sin naturally lives in our flesh.
Therefore mortify your members which are carnal beings;it attracts to fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Col 3:5)you used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselvesof all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, which are being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col 3:6-10). It is a fight to the death with sinful desires (which will come from the sinful nature, the devil and world).
Read:Rom. 8:3-4 which says, "…God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh...". Jesus appeared as a man. Heb. 2:14 "Since children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same" Jesus is God in flesh: The primary biblical reason that Jesus does not have a sinful nature is because Jesus is both God and man in one person. (Titus 1:3)(Col. 2:9)
According to John Wesley: And the Word was God — Supreme, eternal, independent. And the word was made flesh
"flesh" here signifies, not a part of the body, nor the whole body only, but the whole human nature, consisting of a true body, and a reasonable soul; and is so called, to denote the frailty of it, being encompassed with infirmities, though not sinful; and to show, that it was a real human nature, and not an appearance, that he assumed: When he is said to be "made" flesh, this was not done by the change of one nature into another, the divine into the human, or the word into a man; and dwelt among us; or "tabernacle among us"; God dwelt, granted his presence, and his glory was seen; here the sacrifices were brought, offered, and accepted. In the face of Christ the glory of God is seen, and through him, even the veil of his flesh, saints have access unto him, and enjoy his presence.
Dwell among us - John means human body was a tabernacle or tent for the λόγος(Logos) to abide in, in allusion to the tabernacle among the Jews, in which the Shekinah, or visible symbol of God, dwelt; but it is not necessary to suppose this. The object of John was to prove that "the Word" became "incarnate." To do this he appeals to various evidences. One was that he "dwelt" among them; sojourned with them; ate, drank, slept, and was with them for years, so that they "saw him with their eyes, they looked upon him, and their hands handled him,"1 John 1:1. He was with them as a friend and as one of a family, so that they had full opportunity of becoming familiarly acquainted with him, "he was really a man."
We beheld his glory - "that the word of God became man." - "as God and man united in one person," constituting him the unequalled Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-18, Mark 9:2. The word "glory" here means majesty, dignity, and splendor. This glory was seen eminently on the mount of transfiguration. It was also seen in his miracles, his doctrine, and his resurrection, his ascension; Only-begotten - This term is never applied by John to any but Jesus Christ. It is applied by him five times to the Saviour, John 1:14, John 1:18; John 3:16, John 3:18; 1 John 4:9. Compare Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:12, Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 6:26; Zechariah 12:10. On both these accounts it is bestowed on the Saviour. 1. As he was eminently the Son of God, 2. He was especially dear to God.
Full of grace and truth - means "favors," gifts, acts of beneficence. He was kind, merciful, gracious, doing good to all, and seeking man's welfare by great sacrifices and love; so much so, that it might be said to be characteristic of him, or he "abounded" in favors to mankind. He was also "full of truth." He declared the truth. In him was no falsehood. He was not like the false prophets and false Messiahs, who were wholly impostors; nor was he like the emblems and shadows of the old dispensation, which were only types of the true; but he was truth itself. He represented things as they are, and thus became the "truth" as well as "the way and the life."
Application:
1. When we have the word we will overcome the problems, weaknesses, and death.
2. We will reflect the Word through day to day life by love care, concerns to all.
3. Flesh will lose its importance and preferences. The spirit and the Word will prevail against the flesh.
4. Whether people can see the glory of God in us. Is our presence pleasing to God and others on the earth?
5. Whether the WORD dwells in us.
