The Word Became Flesh

THE WORD BECAME FLESH (JOHN 1:14)

Unlike the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that explain Jesus’ earthly origins, the gospel of John emphasizes Jesus’ heavenly origins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) He is co-eternal (“in the beginning), co-existent (“the Word was with God”) and co-equal (“the word was God”).

How did the Word reveal Himself? What did eyewitnesses like John see? How were lives changed by Him?

1. Experience the Riches of God in the Poverty of Christ

Figuratively, “flesh” (v 14) represents the weak, lowly and fallen nature of man. Literally, it means the physical, human and bodily form. In this passage, it means the latter. Jesus became an average person born to an ordinary family and he lived as a commoner. He was raised in a humble, lowly and even poor home and family. His parents could only offer a pair of doves or two young pigeons at his birth (Luke 2:24). He was born in a manger (Luke 2:7) and has no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58).

Jesus was a carpenter by trade and he had four younger brothers and at least two sisters (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55-56). Jesus’ home was not filled with luxury, but filled with love. His life was not about loving life and living life to the fullest but loving God and people and living life for a purpose.

The word “dwelling” (skenoo) means “tent” or “encamp,” to reside as God did in the Tabernacle of old. Seeing Jesus was experiencing God’s riches, beauty and majesty He intended for men.

2. Experience the Riches of God in the Preeminence of Christ

The riches of Christ could easily escape the human eye. His riches were found in the person, not the money he never gave. The simplest man on earth lived a glorious life. The word “glory” aptly describes his life. Do you know the noun “glory” (166x, doxa) occurs more than the nouns “love” (116x, agape) in the Bible.

There are three superlatives concerning Jesus’ glory we should know for a richer life. When he was born the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). The Greek word for “highest” (hupsistos) is derived from the word “skies” (hupsos) or “heavens.” It means that the sky is the limit for God’s glory.

Here in John’s gospel, John describes Jesus’ glory as “the glory of the One and Only” (v 14), the same Greek words for John 3:16. What is “One and Only” in Greek? Mono-genes means one (mono) in becoming (ginomai). The “one and only” IS in the singular, meaning particular, unique, and special representation.

3. Experience the Riches of God in the Presence of Christ

Jesus was full of grace and truth. Full means complete, comprehensive and covered – from top to bottom, from side to side, from inside to outside.

Jesus was full of grace and truth. Grace and truth are opposite but not opposing, contrasts but not conflicting, different but not disagreeable. Grace is personal and truth is objective. Grace is irresistible, but truth is impartial. Grace is delightful, but truth is demanding. Grace is tender and truth is trustworthy. Grace is caring and truth is consistent. To fulfill the demands of God’s love and His law, Jesus willingly took on Himself the limitations, the frailties and infirmities of life. He experienced temptation, suffering, abandonment, rejection, pain to offer us the remission of sins, the reconciliation with God and the rebuilding of our lives.

Have you examined your relationship with the WORD:

Do you Worship Him?

Do you Obey Him?

Do you Refer Him?

Do you Demonstrate Him?