3.2 The Word Made Flesh
The Word Became Man: God’s Radical Nearness to Us
Read John 1:1–3.14. What do these verses tell us about what Jesus, God Himself, did—and why is this truth the most important truth we can ever recognize?
John 1:1–3.14 reveals one of the deepest and most significant truths of the Christian faith: God Himself, the eternal Word (Logos), became man and lived among us. This truth forms the foundation of our faith because it shows that God is not distant and abstract but close and accessible. Jesus, the Logos, is not only the creative power through whom everything exists but also the one who became man to meet us in the deepest way.
John makes it clear that the Logos, whom philosophers considered an abstract idea, is not an impersonal force but a living person: Jesus Christ. By “becoming flesh and dwelling among us,” God Himself entered our world. This echoes the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, where God lived in the midst of His people. Jesus is the fulfillment of this symbolism—He is the God who humbles Himself to meet us personally.
This truth is the most important truth we can recognize because it forms the basis of our relationship with God. In Jesus, we see not only the Creator but also the Redeemer who takes on our human nature to save us. This means that God understands our struggles, suffering, and limitations because He has experienced them Himself. He is not only our Lord but also our compassionate one who knows us in every way.
Through the incarnation of Jesus, God shows His infinite love and closeness by taking on human life. This truth gives us hope that God does not only redeem us from afar but is near and walks with us—a deep, personal relationship that changes everything.
Think about the meaning of what John wrote here. God Himself, the Creator, became a man, one of us, and lived among us. (We haven’t even gotten to that He died for us yet!) What does this say about the reality of God’s love for people? Why should we draw a lot of comfort from this amazing truth?
John’s statement that God Himself, the Creator, became man and lived among us reveals the overwhelming depth of God’s love for us. The fact that the infinite, all-powerful God was willing to leave His glory to experience the limitations, pains, and challenges of human life demonstrates a love that surpasses all human imagination. This act is more than just an act of divine condescension—it is the most radical form of closeness and solidarity that God could enter into with us.
The reality that God does not only rule from afar but became man to understand our lives from the inside out gives us profound comfort. It means that God not only knows us as the Creator but also as someone who shares our experiences. He knows hunger, pain, loneliness, temptation, and loss because He Himself experienced them in Jesus Christ. This identification with us is a clear sign of His love: God did not just want to rule over us but to stand by us in our broken and fallen world.
This truth comforts us because it shows that we are never alone. In our darkest moments, in times of suffering or despair, we can trust that God is not distant but is close to us. Jesus has endured the deepest depths of human life, making His love real and tangible. We can be sure that He understands what we are going through and that He wants to comfort and strengthen us in our need.
Additionally, this truth reveals that God does not only redeem our sin but also values our lives in all their facets. He has taken on human nature to show us that our lives, our struggles, and our suffering are important. This gives us the assurance that our lives have meaning and that we are infinitely valuable in God’s eyes.
In the incarnation of Jesus, we see the ultimate message of love: God was willing to give everything to save us and be close to us. This love is a source of comfort and hope that strengthens us every day and gives us the confidence that God understands and accompanies us in every aspect of life.
The incarnation of Jesus, as described in John 1:1–3.14, has a direct and profound connection to our everyday lives and our faith. Here are some aspects that show how this truth shapes our daily faith:
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God is Near and Understands Us When we face challenges, worries, or pain in everyday life, we can know that God is not distant. Jesus, the Creator of the universe, took on human flesh and experienced life on earth. He understands our struggles firsthand. Whether we experience grief, loneliness, or temptations—Jesus has gone through these experiences and is near to us in every situation. Knowing that God understands us in such a personal way gives us comfort and encourages us to seek His help in every aspect of life.
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A Model of Love and Dedication The incarnation of Jesus is the greatest example of love and dedication. He gave up everything to save us and enter into a relationship with us. This love serves as a model for our daily lives. We are called to show love, compassion, and dedication to others in our relationships. Whether in the family, among friends, or at work—we can reflect God’s love by interacting with others as Jesus interacted with us: with patience, mercy, and a willingness to sacrifice.
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Seeking God in Everyday Things Jesus took on earthly life in its entirety, which means that our everyday experiences are also important to God. Nothing is too small or insignificant. We can seek God’s presence in the ordinary aspects of our lives—in work, in eating, in our relationships—and entrust these things to Him. Faith thus becomes not just a spiritual aspect but permeates every part of our lives.
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Hope in Suffering and Challenges Because Jesus took on human life in all its fragility, we know that our suffering and challenges are not meaningless. He Himself suffered and shows us that there is hope even in suffering. In times of pain or uncertainty, we can trust that God is with us and knows our need. This realization gives us hope and the strength to remain strong in faith even in difficult moments.
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A Living and Personal Faith The incarnation of Jesus shows us that God does not only demand abstract theories or teachings but desires a living and personal relationship with us. Our faith is not just a collection of rules but an invitation to live in deep communion with God. This daily relationship with God gives our lives meaning, direction, and peace.
Conclusion:
The fact that “the Word became flesh” gives us deep comfort and clear guidance in our everyday lives. It shows us that God shares our experiences, understands us in every situation, and loves us. This realization strengthens our faith, encourages us in difficult times, and inspires us to act in love—knowing that God is near to us and that our lives have meaning.
The incarnation of Jesus shows us that God loves us so much that He Himself became man to be near us and to save us.
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