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John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus took on the entirety of humanity — body and spirit — and moved into our neighborhood. He was at the same time fully God and fully man. John 1:14 expresses this truth that is essential to our faith.
The Word became flesh to show us the Person of God.
God wanted to make sure we understand who He is. He wanted to reveal Himself in a way that people could see, touch and hear, so the eternal Creator took on flesh to reveal Himself to us. Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
The Word became flesh to experience human life.
Jesus experienced every aspect of humanity — except He never sinned. Through the incarnation Jesus understands. He understands rejection, betrayal by a friend, death of a loved one, physical pain and temptation. Now as the One who mediates between man and God, Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are — yet He never sinned. We can approach Jesus with boldness and confidence knowing that we will “find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The Word became flesh to pay the penalty of our sin by His physical death on the cross.
Our sins deserve death. How could that be remedied? Could someone die on our behalf? He would have to be a man to be man’s substitute, and he would have to be sinless — not having to pay the penalty for his own sin. There is only one Person who meets both qualifications: Jesus — fully God and fully man. He alone can destroy him who holds the power of death and free those held in slavery to sin (Hebrews 2:14-17).
Lord Jesus, thank You for leaving heaven and coming to earth. Thank You for taking on flesh and moving into our neighborhood. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sin. In Your name I pray. Amen.
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