“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, ESV)
The wonder of the incarnation, God becoming flesh in Christ, should give us pause. This truth is both wondrous and evasive. How could God become a human being? Well, because he is God and he can do anything (the definitive definition of the divine). Meditate on this biblical truth.
- Only God could develop this plan (or any plan) to save the world. Several years ago, my friend, Mark Harris (the principal songwriter for the Christian group 4 Him), wrote a song entitled “Strange Way to Save the World.” Matthew Harris, Mark’s son, graduated from NGU with a degree in Worship Arts and Leadership. Joseph, a simple carpenter, and Mary, an ordinary Jewish teenager, were entrusted with raising the Christ child. The child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus, the active agent in creation, who is God and has always been God (John 1:1-4), took on human flesh. He never ceased being God, but was fully human, emptying and humbling himself to become a man (Phil 2:6-8).
- Jesus dwelt among us. He walked among sinners who needed a savior. All who receive Christ, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God instead of children under wrath (those who reject Christ). Anyone can be saved who repents of their sin and receives Christ. Salvation comes through the person and work of Christ.
- We have seen his glory. All who receive Christ have seen his glory because Christ reveals it to us. Glory is manifest as a person moves from death into life in Christ.
- Glory as the only Son from the Father. Jesus is the unique Son of God. God gave his only son to take on flesh, the one born of a virgin who lived a sinless life, died a vicarious death, was buried, rose triumphantly from the dead, ascended to the Father, and promised that he will return for his people. God is glorified through the work of Christ. He has revealed his great love for us and has provided the only way of salvation.
- Full of grace and truth. In recent years, many businesses, as well as some institutions including Christian higher education campuses, have adopted marketing and advertising strategies that feel good, but in reality, are devoid of truth. You may be aware of the Outback Steakhouse slogan, “No rules, just right.” While that slogan may sound good, do you actually think they mean it? It’s a feel-good slogan that lacks substance. If you think they mean it, turn over a few tables the next time you enter the steakhouse. You will discover that they indeed have rules. Some authors have written about building communities of grace on the campuses of institutions of Christian higher education. When I first read about this concept, a part of me liked it, but upon further review, it bothered me. I prefer the idea of a community of grace and truth. Grace without truth is just permissiveness. Truth without grace is cold, lifeless orthodoxy. But when grace is combined with truth, it reflects the Creator and his community of faith. I am thankful that the Scriptures reveal that Jesus is full of grace and truth. That combination is a great example for us as believers in our families, institutions, communities, and churches. It is a joy to work at North Greenville University that has standards of conduct and appropriate procedures that help students develop a proper understanding of grace and truth.
Do you have other ideas about the wonder of the incarnation? I’d love to hear about them.