The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell of the birth of Jesus Christ complete with angels, shepherds, wise men, and a manger,  but the Gospel of John tells of the birth of Jesus with four words: the WORD became flesh.  These four words are four of the most significant words in the entire Bible.  So simple, but so profound.  Without the truth of these four words, Christianity would not exist.  Without the truth of these four words, there would be no hope for humanity.

The Word became flesh.  These four words change everything. Jesus, who is God became human. My mind cannot adequately comprehend both the simplicity and the depth of this truth.  These four words drive me to my knees.

The Infinite Became Finite 

 Jesus who existed outside of time, entered time. Eternal Jesus entered time as a helpless baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.  All powerful, all knowing Jesus became a man and subjected himself to the human experience. “Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God somethingto be used to his own advantage; rather,he made himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness. “Philippians 2:6-7

The Invisible Became Visible

 God who no man had ever seen, made himself visible through Jesus Christ.   God wanted us to see Him. God wanted us to know Him, through Jesus Christ. “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at the father’s side, has made him known. John 1: 18  Jesus himself said, “whoever sees me sees the One who sent me” and “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 12:45, John 14:29 “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” Colossians 1: 15a

The Untouchable Became Touchable

Jesus through whom all things are created became flesh and blood.  He was born into a human body. He experienced all the same physical and emotional aspects of being human as we do: hunger, thirst, tiredness, joy, sadness and finally death. Because Jesus was human and experienced the same things that you and I experience, we can be sure that Jesus understands us.  Jesus is touchable. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death– even death on a cross!”Philippians 2:8

Jesus Lived Among Us

 Jesus, who lived in Heaven, came to earth to live among us. For thirty-three years, Jesus walked here on earth.  His desire was for us to know Him, to really know Him so that we could walk the way he walked and live the way He lived.  “Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” 1 John 2:6   “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1st Peter 2:21

 Fully God, Fully Man

 Although Jesus became a man in the flesh, He was still God.   He lost none of his deity when he became flesh.  He simply added humanity. Jesus clearly revealed His deity to John and two of the other disciples when he was transfigured before them and they saw a glimpse of his heavenly glory:  “the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” Luke 9:29 “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”  Matthew 17:2 Up until that point, the disciples had only seen Jesus in his human body.  Now they knew without a doubt he was God.   

Jesus, Full of Grace

 Jesus is full of grace.  Grace is unmerited favor, that we can do nothing to earn. Although we do not deserve it, Jesus offers us His grace.  Jesus’ grace was on full display when He, while sinless, was dying on the cross for our sins, and said “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus, Full of Truth

 Jesus is full of truth. Truth is the standard by which we all are held.   Both grace and truth were demonstrated on the cross through Jesus.  Truth because man had sinned and that sin had to be paid for; grace because Jesus paid the penalty of our sin by taking our punishment upon himself.

The                    Word                     became                 flesh.

The                    infinite                  became                 finite.

The                    invisible                became                 visible.

The                    untouchable        became                 touchable.

Jesus                  lived                      among                   us.

Fully                  God,                       fully                       man.

Jesus,                full                          of                           grace.

Jesus,                full                          of                           truth.

Meditate on these truths for awhile. Ask God to take you deeper still. Ask Him for new revelation. And then thank Him for His Son. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14