Kirk DeWitt
John 1:14 MSG
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw His glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish!
REFLECTION
This is one of the most beautiful and powerful verses in all of Scripture!! Jesus came to live with us, among us (Emmanuel).
The WORD (Logos in Greek) became FLESH. The theological word for this is Incarnation (Incarné). In means “In”. Carne means “flesh or meat”. (Yes, just like carne asada.) If incarnate means to embody something and if Logos means “the big idea” or “the proof” – then what did Jesus come to embody? I John 4:16 holds the answer. It says, “God IS love.”
Jesus is God’s LOVE with skin on! He came to show us exactly what God is like (Hebrews 1:3).
Remember when you were a kid and it was your turn for “Show and Tell” at school? I remember in 2nd grade I shared my most precious possession, a sparkling amethyst geode, and I hoped that everyone would understand just how amazing it really was. God’s “Show & Tell” is the incarnation of Christ. Christmas is HIS chance to show each of us what’s important to HIM! His love for us, practically shown, is what is important to Him.
Read these incredible words from St. Augustine written around 400AD. Let them stretch your imagination as you listen…
“Man’s maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast;
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey;
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood;
that Strength might grow weak;
that the Healer might be wounded;
that Life might die.”
Jesus came, in the flesh, to show the love of God in His life and also in His death. God incarnate made the ultimate sacrifice of love, not just coming to earth in humility, but then allowing himself to be sacrificially murdered for you and for me. We must remember that His love was on display in the manger and on the cross too.
PRAYER
Jesus, Thank you for your amazing love! Thank you for showing me who God is! I give you myself this Christmas. Take all of me. Just as you came to earth to dwell among us 2000 years ago, please dwell in me. Make your home in me. Show your love, your peace and your joy to others through my life. Make me an instrument of your peace. Amen and amen!
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