Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Word Became flesh
“
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” (14)
Johns’s
gospel is unique in its language and theological content. John’s audience was
an educated group that prompted John to use philosophical language to explain
the gospel. John wrote the birth of Jesus in a different language other than
the common language. For him ‘word’ is a loaded term and in Greek ‘Logos’ is a
comprehensive word. John’s way of presenting Jesus arrival is a difficult
process and that is beyond human perception. Verse 14 explains three different
stages in this arrival
Becoming
process
For
apostle John Jesus’ birth was a becoming process. The ‘word’ became ‘flesh’.
The word is God and that God became a human in flesh. This is not comprehensive
to this world. The birth of God as Jesus in his mother’s womb was a becoming
process and this is impossible in human eyes. This is what is meant by
incarnation. Jesus, even though he had all the divine majesties and power, he
became a human in flesh. This is model of ultimate humility.
Identifying
process
After
the becoming process he also identified himself with the humanity through a dwelling.
This is the beautiful part of incarnation. Jesus’ ministry was always an
identifying process. He identified with all the people around Him irrespective
of cast, color and other differences. He became one among his fellow humans and
became a transforming agent. He came down to the level of human beings to save
them and that identifying process made the ministry of Jesus a unique one.
Glorification
process
Jesus’
incarnation brought a glory to Him and to the father who sent him to this world
and John is witnessing that he saw that glory in the Son of God. That glory was
a result of grace and truth. Jesus glorified His father through the ministry
that he carried out and on the cross Jesus said ‘it is finished’. This is an
expression of victory and glory amidst of severe pain and suffering. Jesus
accomplished what was entrusted to him.
Jesus
ministry is always a model and strength to all God’s people. It is challenging
us to take the model of incarnation when we live in this world to take the path
of becoming, identification and glorification. Let us live a life that gives
glory to almighty God.
Prayer: Triune God, we thank you
for sending your son to become one among us, to identify himself to the sinful
world and to take us to the glorious living, amen.
Thought
for the day:
Incarnation is the model to our ministry.
Rev. V. M. Mathew, Youth Chaplain, NY