Jesus was made flesh
Jesus, the Son of God, has always existed as God. He was made flesh (incarnation). God became a man in the womb of Mary. Mary was a virgin, so that which was born of her was the Son of God not man (Luke 1:34-35).
Jesus dwelt among us
The word “dwelt” is the word for “tabernacle.” Jesus “tabernacled” among us. He was the presence of God in our midst. He knows what it is like to be human (Hebrews 4:15). He is not a far off God. Jesus is intimately acquainted with us as human beings, for He Himself was a human being.
John saw God’s glory in Jesus
Jesus did not cease to be God when He became a man; He retained His deity. He was a perfect display of God’s glory. He showed God’s perfect character, law, justice, righteousness, holiness, love, mercy, and grace. John also saw the unveiled glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3). John is giving a firsthand testimony that Jesus is God in the flesh.
Jesus was full of grace and truth
Jesus displayed God’s glory by showing forth His grace in His interaction with mankind. He showed the overflowing grace of God in His death on the cross. Jesus also displayed the truth without wavering. He constantly showed forth and expounded God’s truth. There was no greater display of God’s truth than in His death and resurrection.
Application
Man sinned, therefore man must die; however, man cannot bring about salvation, only God can. Jesus is God in human flesh; He had two natures. He was simultaneously both God and man. As such, He alone can bring about salvation. The Virgin Birth is essential doctrine. If Jesus is merely a man then there is no hope for humanity. We can only be saved by the Son of God.
God’s grace does not compromise His truth. His truth does not drown out His grace. Grace and truth are on full display in Jesus, especially His crucifixion and resurrection. God can be both just and the Justifier of the one who believes in Jesus. We must proclaim both God’s truth and His grace in full form so that sinful men might behold the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
0 Comments