John 1:14 (NIV) ~ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

 

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

The Message translation of the Bible takes our text for today and puts it into a modern way of thinking, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.” He came down to where we lived, from heaven itself, to be born among us, just like you and me. The Bible says in Philippians 2:7 to 8 (NIV), “…But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

It is a sobering thought to try and comprehend that Jesus Christ loves the sinner so much that He was willing to come, to give up the glory of heaven, to born into poverty, to feel the pain of neglect, of rejection, the agony and trials of temptation, the feeling of being hungry, thirsty and cold and to endure the searing pain of personal betrayal, the beatings, whipping and scourging, to have a crown of thorns thrust upon His head and then be nailed to a cross, and taunted by those who crucified Him until He died.

What a contrast to the day He was born, where on the hills surrounding Bethlehem the heavens were opened and the Angels of God declared His glorious birth saying in Luke 2:10 to 14 (NIV), “‘Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.’”

My friend, God is spirit, He gave us the Holy Spirit, but only Jesus left the realm of glory to put on the garments of flesh and blood. He laid aside the majesty of heaven itself to come down among us; to empathize with us.

Jesus was with God in the beginning; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the three in one.

Jesus Christ came to become like you and me in the flesh and blood, so He could save flesh and blood. This babe of Bethlehem, who was born a King, was He who died on the cross with the sign over His precious brow saying, “This is Jesus, King of the Jews!” Then three days later, He was raised from the dead, and when all was accomplished He went back into heaven with the marks of the cross forever on His body. The Bible says in John 1:10 to 13 (NIV), “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

Jesus was born and took upon Himself the flesh and blood of a newborn baby, and He grew from a baby to a young boy, and then a man. This man then died for the sins of mankind. He suffered so we may share His glory with Him. May, this festive season, you receive the real reason to be cheerful and happy at the Saviour’s birth. He came to give us Life. Will you accept His gift of Life to you today and receive Him as you Lord and Saviour?

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

(NIV) ~ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.