The Eternal Word Became Flesh

-December 8, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

“And the Word became 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” (John 1:14).

John, like Mark, in writing his gospel does not give the details of the birth of Christ. He chooses rather to refer to it in the light of eternity. He describes Jesus as the eternal Word who took on human flesh, full of grace and truth.

Jesus Christ is the living Word who always existed from the beginning. He was with God and was God. The Greek word that John employs is Logos. Someone wrote, “John portrays Him in His deity as the Son of God. John’s purpose is crystal clear: to set forth Christ in His deity in order to spark believing faith in his readers.”

Christ is the living Word just as the Scriptures are the written Word. He came forth from the Father and became a human being in order to bear the sins of the whole world. He stepped out of eternity into time, becoming flesh like us, yet without sin, and died for sins and was raised for our justification.

His earthly mission began at His birth in Bethlehem: from the manger to the cross, from the cross to the tomb, and from the tomb to the throne in glory. Yes, His story is from glory to glory. He was and is full of grace and truth. John wrote, “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:16-18).

Hymn writer William C. Dix wrote the beautiful words, “Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.”

Anyone who truly believes must believe that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. John later wrote in 1 John 4:2-3, “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and now is already in the world.”

Let us bow before the Lord Jesus Christ: who is the Ancient of days, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, the Alpha and Omega, and so much more. May our worship and praise rise like incense to the throne of God, where He is sitting at the right hand of God in glory.

Have a blessed day with the living Word and in the written Word. Stay safe and healthy.

Hearing the Word in clearest tone, honoring Christ and Christ alone,

Dean