Week of December 22

Charles Dickens once said, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” The great author’s words ring true, and hold profound significance, but we must not miss the key doctrine that undergirds our salvation. The crucial principle to which I refer is the doctrine that we call “the Incarnation.” It boggles the mind to think that the God of the universe would take on the flesh and blood of a baby. 

If anything, it should be a reminder throughout the book of John that babies, children, innocent sheep and, ultimately, sacrificial lambs present to us an essential theme about salvation. We must humble ourselves and be born again to understand the significance of the Incarnation (John 3:1-16). Friends, we may get the meaning of Christmas, which is giving, but that will be as useful as tinsel in July if we do not gain an understanding of the Incarnation. Let’s examine carefully the beauty and wonder of God becoming flesh.

John uses a curious expression to many readers in our contemporary culture. We sense that it is pregnant with importance, but we need context to grasp its meaning for humankind. The concept “Word” held different meanings for Jews and Greeks. The Greeks understood the term to mean the “rational principle that supervised or governed the universe.” To a Jew, however, “Word” was a reference to God (HCBC). John equates the Word with God, even while noting that the Word was also distinct from the Father.

God’s Son became truly human. Notice several key truths about the Word: the Word is coexistent with God (1:1); identified with life and the source of life (1:8); present as being in the created world though unknown by His creatures (1:10); and participates fully in the realm of creation by “becoming flesh” (NAC; EBC). He became human, truly human! Christians differ on many theological fine points, but not this one. We understand the importance in John’s statement that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

God is present with us in Jesus Christ. The Word not only became flesh, but He also pitched His tent with us. Recall the presence of God with Israel in the tabernacle or tent of meeting (cf. Exodus 25:8-9; 35:7-16; 40:1-38). This divine presence led Israel in the wilderness to the Promised Land. Jesus would pitch His tent with the disciples as their first Paraclete or Counselor and guided them throughout His time on earth (NAC). When He was later resurrected, He would send “another” Paraclete to be present with His disciples till the end of time (14:16-17). God’s personal divine presence is a key in John’s Gospel to a “vital Christian life” (cf. Matthew 28:20; NAC).

C.S. Lewis once said, “The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God.” John has stated how this was to take place, so do not miss his point. The apostle writes that the Word was full of grace and truth; two characteristics of God. He was filled with grace, meaning “loving-kindness” or “gracious mercy” (Hebrew, hesed). Secondly, He was filled with truth, meaning “faithfulness,” “steadfastness,” and “consistency.” John was communicating that the “Word” is God’s unique messenger to the world. He literally was/is God’s presence in the world. One commentator captures the essence of Jesus’ arrival in flesh: “He was the Creator of the world and the Executor of the will of the Father” (cf. John 3:16, “whosoever believes in him”; EBC). He has come to enable us to find forgiveness of sin and life eternal (John 1:29)!

Shawna and I received an invitation some years ago to attend “A Night of Christmas,” the Christmas production of First Baptist Church of Dallas. The entire presentation heralded the truth of the Gospel from the creation of the universe to the birth of the Savior. The most powerful part of the program for me was the moment that the Holy Spirit overshadowed the virgin Mary as she was made aware by the angel that she was to give birth to the Messiah. It was subtly choreographed, yet so moving to see, that I literally thought, “I just witnessed a portrayal of God’s coming into the world to take on flesh and to eventually overwhelm evil and death.” The evening was an extravaganza of lights and sounds and songs and movement, but that understated, calm moment was unforgettable!

Here is John’s simple message of hope for your life today: God so loved the world that he took on human flesh in order that you might receive new life through His only Son! Merry Christmas? Indeed!

1. Humans are forever in search of some “new reality.” Let me encourage you to begin the search in its rightful place—the cradle in Bethlehem where God took on flesh. Everything that holds ultimate meaning as “right” and “good” begins there. Reduce the Christmas season to its most meaningful moment—the Incarnation.

2. For Families: When I was a young girl (Karen Bullock), a Sunday School teacher explained God-becoming-Man by saying Jesus, who reigns in Heaven with God the Father, poured Himself into an “Earth-suit.” A “baby earth-suit.” We do not know what God looks like, or what kind of form or shape He has, but we do know that when Jesus came, He allowed Himself to come into the world in the body of a tiny babe, and then grew into a man (still all God, but all man too).

This is difficult for both adults and children to understand or process. But young kids often have less trouble with this truth. They take it at face value and have few deep questions.

It might be wonderful at this time of year to visit the maternity ward of a nearby hospital and look in the window at the newborn babies, or visit a new mother who might share her little one with your kids. If they could just stand and watch a newborn, or hold a tiny baby for even a moment or two, their understanding of what Jesus did in coming to dwell with us will deepen, even take on an aspect of wonder. For unto us a child is given.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock