Reading for December 5: John 1:14-18
Reflection: What it Means that Jesus Came
The following passage on the incarnation (God taking on human flesh) is the source of three helpful truths about God:
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. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1:14–18
God wants us to know him.
We didn’t want anything to do with God. We were content to vandalize his image and remain in the dark. In the incarnation, God took the initiative to help us understand who he is and how to properly relate to him. Without his self-disclosure we’d be lost, without hope, destined for eternal suffering. His revelation is a gift.
God wants us to know that he’s more than a judge.
The law, given by Moses, leaves everyone condemned before God. The incarnation shows us that the same God who will judge the world is also full of life-giving truth and grace.
There’s more to God than his rules.
As detailed as the law is, it didn’t tell us everything God wants us to know about him. That’s not to say that God’s rules don’t give us insight into his character. They do. They’re an extension of his character. Despite that, God still thought it necessary for us to see him in action. So God became flesh and dwelt among us; then he died for us. So, after you read through the accounts of Christ’s birth this holiday season—keep reading in the gospels to discover more of what God wants you to know about Him.
May God give us the desire to continue to grow in our knowledge of him.
Sam Hodges