THE WORD BECAME FLESH

If you were God—How would you want to be known? Some people believe that God is like a clock smith who created the world to sustain itself, but he doesn't really want to be known. Others believe that God is a force, and can be known as many forms or can't truly be known at all. 

I remember my first thought in considering God. It was clear to me that the universe was designed with such detail that would require intelligence that there had to be a God. Then it is simple I know, but if an intelligent God made me, then this God would want me to know him specifically. But how would God make himself known?

Each of the Synoptic Gospels begins with a historical introduction to Jesus and his earthly ministry—but the Gospel of John is different. John begins his Gospel with a Prologue that introduces Jesus before His virgin birth, even before creation, as (1) the Word, (2) the Light, and (3) the Life of the one eternal God. In this first of three articles, we will look at the Word.

JESUS IS ‘THE WORD’ ! (John 1:1-4)

Jesus is the Logos.  This Greek word had symbolic meaning for both Greeks and Hebrews, (1) For Greeks Logos, it was the impersonal ‘reason’ that orders the universe (2) for the Hebrews, ‘the word of God’ was the personal self-assertion of God in creating and sustaining the universe. John adopted this word and used it to reveal the very person of Jesus. 

How is Jesus personalized as the Word (Logos)? We will look four ways.

1. The Word was in the beginning (v.1).

This is his pre-existence. Jesus did not start his existence at his virgin birth--he existed before all creation!

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1).

2. The Word was with God (v.1).

This is his co-existance. From the beginning Jesus was in triune relation with God—this is one of the building blocks of our understanding the mysterious nature of the trinity—One God, with three distinct persons.

“I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now Father, glorify me in your own presence that I had with you before the world existed” (Jn 17:4-5). 

3. The Word was God (v.1)

This is his self-existence. The text doesn't read, 'Jesus is God' or 'was made God' but, 'Jesus was God--he was God from the beginning!

A popular deception is happening in the 'Christ Consciousness' movement that is being taught in Spiritual Centers. They do not deny that Jesus is God, but rather teaches that he became God by first becoming a son., and they teach that we can do the same. According to Christ Consciousness, by becoming son of God, we too can become gods. This deception leaves people looking at how they can be save themselves, while only Jesus can save us!

But did Jesus ever claim that he preexist creation of to be God? He did.

“‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad’. So the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (Jn 8:56-59).

When he claimed to know Abraham personally and referred to himself as 'I am,' the very words that God used to identify himself to Moses.

4. The Word created all things (v.3)

This includes the whole universe! Everything was created through Jesus!

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col 1:15-17). 

This is why Christmas is more than Jesus birthday! It is a divine miracle of God.

JESUS CAME INTO HUMAN HISTORY! (1:14)

“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” (Jn 1:14). 

The Word, Jesus, became flesh and entered into human history. Eternal God, who is not bound by human history, took on flesh and subjected himself to a human history. We will look at four reasons that Jesus subjected himself to our time limitations.

1. The Word came in the fullness of time. 

Jesus was not sent by accident or whim, but in the fullness of time--it was God's providential work for humankind. 

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal 4:4-5).

2. The Word came to dwell with us. 

The word, 'dwell' literally means, 'pitched his tent,' an allusion to God's dwelling among the Israelites in the tabernacle in days of Moses. The Lord is moving us progressively toward His future dwelling with humankind (from garden, darkness, incarnation, indwelling Spirit, and finally towards the events in Revelation). In the ending pinnacle of Revelation we see God's eventual plan for humankind.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Rev 21:2-5). 

3. The Word became flesh like us.

Not that Jesus ceased being God—but he also took upon himself humanity. He is 100% God and 100% human. This is the true Christmas Miracle—the eternal, all powerful, holy Son of God took upon himself human nature!

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1Jn 1:1-4). 

4. The Word will make all things new .

Jesus came to recreate a fallen humanity and he is SOON COMING KING who will make ALL THINGS NEW! There is nothing you have done that Jesus can't save you from! There is nothing you have become that Jesus can't transform into a new creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2Cor 5:17). 

and,

“And he who was seated on throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ (Rev 21:5). 

Jesus is the Word that was in the beginning, was in triune relationship with God, and was God. This Word is the creative power through which God created all things, for whom all things were created. He being God, took on flesh and entered the world that he might make all things new through his cross and resurrection.

Next week we will look at Jesus as the light of men. Until then be blessed in the Lord and his presence.