The Word Became Flesh

C.S. Lewis describes the incarnation this way:

Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog (and every dog) is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much.

If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, your hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved's face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak?

Christ, by becoming man, limited the thing that to Him was the most precious thing in the world; his unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father. (C. S. Lewis)

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The incarnation of Christ is the cornerstone of our faith; “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” refers to the personification of Jesus Christ (God becomes human). There is no single issue more pertinent to Christianity than this. OYBT John chapter 1.

2. As we begin, we must deal with the title given to Jesus—“the Word”; what does that mean? Let us consider its cultural context.

A. The term logos (Word) was common among the Greeks; it relates to reason or thought, spoken or unspoken. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term logos around 600 BC, to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe.

B. Jews used the term rDbD;d (Word) as a way of referring to Gods’ thought and control over the universe (Ps 107:20). “Word” and “event” are the same word in Hebrew.

C. In either instance, the Word, as a title, refers to the one who controls the universe, both rationally and philosophically. It is a powerful title; in fact, there is no title more meaningful to Hebrews or Greeks.

[The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Nothing compares to the Incarnation of Christ.]

II. THE DEITY OF CHRIST (1:1-5)

1. John establishes Christ’s deity immediately. The Word was [1] without beginning (eternal), [2] with God (as only a deity can be), and [3] was God. That he was with God in the beginning affirms the eternity of the Word.

2. Through him all things were made (creation); in him was life (breathed into man); the light of man (salvation). The light shines in the darkness (before creation), but the darkness has not understood it.

3. John’s profession leaves little room for sustained argument; Christ is FULLY GOD.

[The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Nothing compares to the Incarnation of Christ.]

III. THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST (1:9-11,14)

1. In addressing the humanity of Christ, John gives two points receive special emphasis: astonishingly [1] the Word of God, true God as he is, took upon him human nature, and even more astonishingly, [2] when he did this, people wanted nothing to do with him.

2. Vss. 10 & 11 are repetitious, a means of emphasis in a language with no punctuation. Irony abounds; he was in the world, the world was made through him, and yet the world did not recognize him.

A. That which was his own (11) extends the theme from the creation at large to the nation of Israel. Literally “his own home”, where people should recognize him, not to a place where he would not expect to be recognized, but to his own home!

3. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory. This is personal testimony from John, and he invites others to offer theirs.

A. This is one defense for the reliability of the Gospels. The Gospel writers wrote in the age of disproof. Many who were witness to Jesus life and miracles were still alive at the time of the gospel writings; therefore, we may expect that any portion of the message fabricated would meet with the harshest of criticism.

B. The people criticized Jesus mercilessly for his words and deeds, but no one criticized the writings of those who record the events.

4. John makes it clear; Christ was FULLY HUMAN.

[The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Nothing compares to the Incarnation of Christ.]

IV. THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION (12,13,16,17)

1. To do the Father's will: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (Jn. 6:38)

2. To bear witness to the truth: "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (18:37)