John 1:14 - God Became Flesh.
John 1:14 (NIV) 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.
John 1:14 (AMP) And the Word (Christ) became
flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed
His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and
we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His
majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives
from his father, full of grace (favor,
loving-kindness) and truth.
WORD STUDY
The Word became flesh. While Christ as God
was uncreated and eternal, the word "became"
emphasizes Christ's taking on humanity (see Heb. 1:1-3;
2:14-18). This reality is surely the most profound
ever because it indicates that the Infinite
became finite; the Eternal was conformed to time;
the Invisible became visible; the supernatural
One reduced Himself to the natural. In the
Incarnation, however, the Word did not cease to be God
but became God in human flesh, i.e.,
undiminished Deity in human form as a man (1 Tim. 3:16).
[MacArthur Daily Bible 2003]
Dwelt. Meaning "to pitch a tabernacle," or
"live in a tent." The term recalls the Old
Testament tabernacle where God met with Israel before
the temple was constructed (Ex. 25:8). It was
called the "tabernacle of meeting" (Ex. 33:7) where
"the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man
speaks to his friend" (Ex. 33:11). In the New
Testament, God chose to dwell among His people in a far
more personal way through becoming a man. In the
Old Testament, when the tabernacle was
completed, God's Shekinah presence filled the entire
structure (Ex. 40:34; 1 Kin. 8:10). When the Word
became flesh, the glorious presence of Deity was
embodied in Him (Col. 2:9). [MacArthur Daily Bible
2003]
INTRODUCTION
The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in
human flesh is a mystery, "even the mystery which
hath been hid from ages and from generations." It
is the great and profound mystery of godliness.
"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."
Christ took upon himself human nature, a nature
inferior to his heavenly nature. Nothing so shows the
wonderful condescension of God as this. He "so loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."
John presents this wonderful subject with such
simplicity that all may grasp the ideas set forth, and
be enlightened. RH04-05-06
COMMENTARY PEARL
He Knows What Its Like
When Jesus walked among us, He didnt
empty Himself of His divine attributes, but He did
accept the limitations of humanity.
In Philippians 2, we read, Though he
was God, he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up
his divine privileges; he took the humble
position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled
himself in obedience to God and died a criminals
death on a cross (verse 6"8 NLT).
We know from Scripture that Jesus was
tired. On one occasion, as He came to the city of
Samaria, the Bible tells us that He was weary (see
John 4:6 NLT). He had been walking all day,
probably in the scorching heat of Israel.
How easily could Jesus have said to His
disciples, You go ahead. Ill meet you there.
Then He could have simply appeared in Samaria.
After all, He was God. Why tire yourself out like
that?
Yet Jesus voluntarily went through the
process of feeling what it was like to be tired and
exhausted.
We also know that Jesus felt hungry.
During His temptation in the wilderness, He was
hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights (see
Matthew 4:2). The Bible also tells us that He
experienced physical thirst. Hanging on the cross, He
cried out, I thirst! (John 19:28 NKJV). The
very God who created water, who could speak to a
rock and cause water to gush out, experienced
thirst.
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, This High
Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he
faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did
not sin (NLT).
We have a God who knows what its like
to walk in our shoes. He knows what were
going through. [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
Christ Is Divine
Just how divinity became human flesh and
blood so that He could live among us as a human
and yet show us the Father's glory is such a
huge mystery that I have a hard time getting my
mind around it. But here is what I know for sure.
Without question He surely is divine because:
only God could subdue and soften my
stony, stubborn, prideful, selfish
heart.
only God could break my chains of
slavery to sin.
only God could lift me out of the
confusion of my sins and give me
clarity.
only God could continue to draw me
with love even as I struggle to
distance myself from Him.
only God could quiet my struggles
with His assurance of acceptance and
love.
only God could say, "Your sins are
forgiven, be of good cheer, and enter
into my joy."
only God could turn my pain and deep
sorrow into laughter.
only God could enter my desolate
heart and bring me indescribable joy.
only God could account for the
created magnificence of this universe.
only God could keep all the promises
that He has made.
only God could satisfy the deep
hunger of my soul with the banquet of
His grace.
only God could be such a kind and
gentle master to this grateful
servant.
only God could be such a good friend,
brother, and constant companion to
me.
only God could be such a loving
husband to my lonely soul - no spouse
could be as true.
only God could be a loving and tender
Savior to this wretched sinner.
only God could be a soothing
comforter to this mourner.
only God could surround my grinding
poverty with His extravagant wealth.
only God could heal my feverish
sickness with vibrant health.
only God could light the oppressive
darkness with His shining
brilliance.
only God could enter the chaos of my
life and give it order and beauty.
only God could be so devoid of
retribution and wrath in light of my
perpetual disobedience.
only God could be so full of grace
throughout my lifetime of spurning
His love.
Glory to God in the highest. Great things
He hath done. [God of Wonders by David Steen]
If you linger past sunset at Niagara
Falls, you can watch the colorful lights illuminate
Horseshoe Falls, creating a mighty, cascading rainbow.
Back at your hotel room at night, you might drift
off to sleep thinking about the majesty of that
display and hear its roar in the distance.
Eventually, the colored lights blink out, the crowds
disperse, the city is quiet, and everything stops. But
the Niagara River doesn't stop. It continues to
crash over the precipice; the waters continue to
flow - with every bit as much force as they had
during the day. This is a picture of God's grace,
always flowing, always cascading, always constant,
never diminishing. Speaking of the Lord Jesus,
today's Scripture reads, "From his fullness we have
all received, grace upon grace." You will never
exhaust His fullness. You will never run out of His
unmerited favor. Your teaspoon dipping into Niagara
Falls will not reduce its thunder.
Lord Jesus, I am in awe of Your might.
One day You will ride a white horse followed by
the armies of heaven, bringing judgment to a
world that has scorned and rejected You. But now I
see Your strength and power poured out as grace
- and grace upon grace - for me and for so
many who desperately need You. [A Spectacle of
Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby re
vss 14-16]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I am the One and only who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth. I came from Him and
I returned to Him because I am God - the
second Person of the Trinity.
I entered your world to provide a way for
you to have a living, eternal relationship with
your Father-God. People who do not know Me have
often stated that there are many ways to God. But
this claim is absolutely untrue: I am the Way,
the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.
I come to you, beloved, full of grace.
Because you have trusted Me to save you from your
sins through My sacrificial death on the cross,
you have nothing to fear. You don't need to
dread failure or performing below expectations.
Since I am your Savior - and you cannot save
yourself - your security rests in My grace. Rejoice
that I am both faithful and sufficient. In spite
of all the trouble in this world, in Me you may
have Peace. I have overcome the world! (John
1:14; 14:6; 16:33) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
Come to Me, and rest in My Presence. As
you ponder the majestic mystery of the
Incarnation, relax in My everlasting arms. I am the only
Person who was ever sired by the Holy Spirit. This
is beyond your understanding. Instead of trying
to comprehend My Incarnation intellectually,
learn from the example of the wise men. They
followed the leading of a spectacular star, then fell
down in humble worship when they found Me.
Praise and worship are the best responses
to the wonder of My Being. Sing praises to My
holy Name. Gaze at Me in silent adoration. Look
for a star of guidance in your own life, and be
willing to follow wherever I lead. I am the Light
from on high that dawns upon you, to guide your
feet into the way of Peace. (Luke 1:35; John
1:14; Mat. 2:10, 11; Luke 1:78, 79) [Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young]
I am full of grace and truth. Grace"
refers to the undeserved favor and Love I have for
you. Receiving something you don't deserve is
humbling, and that's a good thing - protecting you
from pride. Grace is a gift of boundless worth,
for it secures your eternal salvation. Because
you know Me as Savior, I will always be
favorable toward you, beloved. My Love for you is
undeserved, unearned, and unfailing; so you can't lose
it! Just trust in My unfailing Love, and rejoice
in My salvation.
I am not only full of truth, but I am the
Truth. People today are barraged by news and
messages laced with spin and lies. As a result,
cynicism abounds in the world. But in Me and in the
Bible, you find absolute, unchanging Truth! Knowing
Me sets your feet on a rock and gives you a
firm place to stand. This secure foundation for
your life makes you a bright beacon in a dark,
relativistic world. Let your light shine so that many
will see and put their trust in Me. (John 1:14;
14:6; Psa. 13:5, 6; Mat. 5:16) [Jesus Always by
Sarah Young]
CLOSING PEARL
One thing about Christianity that keeps
me coming back for more: God with us. Its
even what Jesuss name means: Emmanuel.
Who can resist a God who became human to be with
us?
What a mind-blowing concept. In my World
Literature class, we read all kinds of sacred texts.
Some texts use descriptive words about God that
are similar to those found in the Bible. There
is a plethora of images of a majestic being, a
creator, a powerful authority figure. But the
similarities end when we get to the idea of Jesus - the
Almighty One - who chooses to laugh and cry, feel
pain, and get dirt under His fingernails.
Louisa May Alcott said, I dont want
a religion that I put away with my Sunday
clothes. I want something to see and feel and live
day by day. Jesus also wanted to see and feel
and live - to dwell - with us.
What did that look like? It looked like
an unwed mother. A family who became refugees.
A king on a donkey. It meant that those whom
religion rejected could join the party. That no one
was unclean. It meant women were special -
bringing baby God into the world, being with Him at
the cross, the first to see His resurrected
body.
And now Jesus dwells in us. We are His
body. He uses our ears to listen, our eyes to see,
our mouths to speak. He touches and heals with
our hands. He walks through the world on our
feet. by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Faith Step: Today spend extra time
abiding in Jesus. [Mornings With Jesus 2020
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
John 1:14 - He Loves to Be with the Ones He
Loves.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181201-1332.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
