The Incarnation

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

The word “incarnation” is used by Chuck Smith to describe what happened here--Jesus came to the earth as a helpless infant.  Carnal means “fleshly” so incarnate means “to inhabit flesh.” 

He is Immanuel, God with us.  He didn’t just beam down, like Captain Kirk in Star Trek.  He was born.  He came into the world just like the rest of us—dependent upon others for life, for food, for comfort.  

Think of the faith of God! to place Himself in the hands of a young woman, really just a teenager, and to allow the elements to touch Him and be subjected to them, and to live within Time.  Hebrews says Seeing, then, that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hole fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace; that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  –Hebrews 4:14-16

             

             … and dwelt among us

He did it, became like us, so that we would know that He had “been there,” just like us.  Think of all the old sayings: “walk a mile in my shoes” before you judge me.  Well, He did. 

He knew what it was like to suffer temptation, heat, cold, sore feet, headaches, annoyances, sickness, sorrow, death—everything we experience, He experienced, but didn’t sin.

We beheld His glory—that of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

They hung out with Jesus and knew Him.  They probably thought He was just a super optimistic guy at first, but when the miracles happened—they began to wonder if something else was going on.  Luke says the disciples were invited to that wedding in Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine.  Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there?  I’d have liked to taste the wine that day…and I imagine them watching in wonder as the waves obeyed Him, and the sea calmed when He had been asleep in the boat.  I imagine their eyes widening as Jesus has Peter out walking on the water with Him. 

In 1 John, this same writer, John the Apostle, says that he was a witness of that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you.  –1 John 1:1-3

“We’ve seen Him, and heard Him, and we know He’s who He says He is.”  John and the other disciples touched Jesus and knew Him intimately, as the closest of friends.

Is He your close friend?  Proverbs says “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  This friend knows all about your troubles, and has been there.  He’s ready to help, as soon as you call out to Him.  Remember Hebrews?  Come boldly to His throne, ask for His help, and you’ll meet the Friend of sinners, who loves you more than anyone else on earth.

Today, instead of sharing my prayer as I finished my devotions, I’m going to share what the Lord said to me:

My Child,

            

            Yes, I came to know what your life was like—for your benefit, not Mine.  I know all things, but you would not have thought Me genuine had I not suffered as you have.  You would not have thought Me able, or to be enough.  But now I am qualified to intervene on your behalf.  Now I can stand in your place.

           

            Child, I would do it all again—for you. 

            

            Tell others this truth—that I am all they need—Intercessor, Counselor, Helper, Peace, Joy, Grace, Life, Love, and Forgiveness.  Let me live through you, and show others My life.

                                  

                         I AM,

                                 

                                Your Abba