Text: John 1:1-14
Theme: The Word Became Flesh
Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.
I wish you a happy Christmas season.
Today, the First Sunday in Advent. We celebrate our Church Anniversary which is another important significance for us. The word became flesh is the main reason for all these celebrations and fellowships. This word gives life and light, this word gives glory and grace. This word makes us to witness for him.
John 1:1-3 WORD IS LIFE AND LIGHT
“theiyinal suttapin ullarum arathey navinal suttavadu”(Thirukkural). The scar of the fire will go but not the scars of the tongue or word. The word is more powerful, it can hurt or heal. It can put a person down or lift to a new height. The Word of God is living and active.
We live in the flesh (Matthew 26:52), it is prone to infirmities, death and decay (Romans 7:24. 8:13). The flesh always against God and His principles (Romans 8:8 & James 4:4). The flesh is lustful (Galatians 5:16 5: 19-21-lists the works of the flesh). Flesh never allows good to dwell in it (Romans 7:18).
Sinful mind is hostile to God (Romans 8:7) Living in the futility of thinking (Ephesians 4:17, Colossians 1:21). Flesh serves Sin (Romans 7:25). The mind is corrupted (Titus 1:15). It has wicked thoughts (Proverbs 15:26). The flesh and mind allow the evil thoughts to dwell in them and entertains them (Mark 9:4 & Matthew 15:19). The imaginations of the mind are evil wicked schemes (Proverbs 6:18. & Genesis 6:5). The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).
We are sensual beings. Our flesh desires what is pleasing to the senses. Our senses draw our attention to the things of this world. It longs to have more education; a better job; new clothes; a bigger dwelling; more tasty food than healthy 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 into its way –having what is good for us–having what we want. Colossians 3:7 says that this is the life once you had when you were without Christ.
Colossians 3:10 says cloth yourselves with the creator, that is the creative word, Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:3-4 which says, “God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.". Jesus appeared as a man. Hebrews 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 that Jesus is both God and man in one person. (Titus 1:3 and Colossians 2:9).
According to John Wesley: And the Word was God — Supreme, eternal, independent. And the word was made flesh "flesh" here signifies the whole human nature, consisting of a true body, and a reasonable soul. The divine into the human, or the word into a man. God dwelt, granted his presence, and his glory was seen. 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.
John 1:10-14 WORD IS GLORY AND GRACE
The word "glory" here means majesty, dignity, and splendour. This glory was seen eminently on the mount of transfiguration. 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.
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. 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.
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 favours 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.
“These two ideas should hold our minds and direct our lives. God is grace and truth. Not one without the other. Not the other apart from the one. In His government, there can be no lowering of the simple and severe standard of Truth, and there is no departure from the purpose and passion of Grace.” (Morgan).
In the person of Jesus Christ the immeasurable grace of God is treasured up.” (Spurgeon). Apostle Peter in his epistle says that (1 Peter 5:10 ) God is the God of all grace. God relates to us through grace applying different modes according to apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 9:8).
The understanding of grace has been called the watershed that divides Catholic, Protestant, Calvinistic, Arminian, Liberal and Conservative, Pentecost denominations.
Catholics believe in Actual grace and Sanctifying grace . John Wesley speaks of four types of grace: prevenient(preventive) grace, justifying grace, sanctifying grace, and glorifying grace. Charismatic traditions believe in Miraculous Grace or Charismatic Grace.
The early church (Acts 4:33 ) had the fullness of grace through four-fold ministries. Believed communion of life, Living together means worshipping together in the temple, breaking bread at homes, and praising God, evangelising through living (Acts 2:44-47).
Even the sufferings, sicknesses and ailments we live happily because he has said: “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 1 Chronicle 17:13, Psalm 89:33 I will not remove my grace. Psalm 23:6 grace shall follow me. Isaiah 54:8 I will not move my grace from you. Lamentations 3:22 we are not destroyed because of his love and grace. Hebrews 12:15 be watchful not to lose your grace.
John 1:6-9 WITNESSES TO LIFE AND LIGHT
The apostle John described the stepping out, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14 NIV).
This verse is the climax of John's prologue as John completes his introduction of Jesus by proclaiming his humanity amid his divinity. Through this verse the events of the Angels visit to the shepherds, and the Wise Men witnessing the star, and their journey to Bethlehem on that first Christmas is understood. Without this verse, the rest of the story has no meaning.
The Christians use the word witnesses very often. The secular world and other religions use for the purpose of establishing the Truth. The dictionary meaning is “Individuals who provide evidence in legal proceedings before a tribunal. Persons who give testimony under oath in court, concerning what they have seen, heard, or otherwise observed”.
All witnesses, however, must submit to the cross-examination, which means being questioned by the opposing party. We witness what we have received, experienced and enjoyed in life as Christians. What does it mean when Jesus said that “ye be my witnesses” (Ac.1:8). How is our witnesses? Are they truthful or false (Proverbs 14:5). Paul says that Timothy made good confession (1 Tim.6:12). Enoch was known as “God’s Beloved’ before his death (Heb.11:5).
We are witnesses to this in dwelling word, Jesus. John says that the human body is a tabernacle or tent for the (Logos) to abide in. John refers “the human nature which he took of the virgin, being as the shrine, house, or temple, in which his immaculate Deity condescended to dwell. The word is probably an allusion to the Divine Shechinah in the Jewish temple” (Clarke).
God witnesses in heavens (Job 16:19). God knows what is in the heart of men (Jn. 2:25). Abel was called as “Righteous man” (Heb.11:4). Abraham as ‘Prophet and Prayer warrior” (Gen.20:7). God said about Moses as “Faithful” (Nu12:7). Caleb as man of “integrity” (Nu.14:24). John the Baptist as “Burning Lamp” (Jn. 5:36). Job as “God fearing man” (Job1:1,8).
The object of John was to prove that "the Word" became "incarnate." To do this he appeals to various pieces of evidence. 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."
Conclusion: Let this Advent take us to that realm of God.
