The Revelation and the Incarnation of God (John 1:14-18).

Definition(s)

Definition of Incarnation: The 2nd Person of the Triune Godhead, the eternally existent Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, became a human being.

Here in verse 14, the Word (the Logos) “became”.

this is the Greek Word “ginomai”, which means that the Word took something on that he did not previously have: i.e. Humanity.

This stands in contrast to the word “was” in verse 1.

The Greek word “was” is the word “eimi”, which means eternal existence beforehand.

Definition of Revelation: The gracious act of God in which he discloses himself and his character to mankind.

In verse 14, we see that the glory of the Word, who became flesh, is the glory of the only Son from the Father.

While being a human, he still had the character and nature of God the Father.

1 John 1:1-4.

Philippians 2:5-11.

Hebrews 1:1-4.

The word “dwelt” could also be translated “tabernacled”.

This is important contextually because John brings up Moses and the Law. He does this not necessarily to contrast them, but to point out that Jesus is the more full revelation of God, rather than the types and shadows of the Old Testament.

In fact, the phrase “full of Grace and truth” in verses 14 and 17, are NT equivalents from what God said to Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus 34:6 “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,”.

Types and Shadows: Hebrews 10:1-14.

In verse 18, we see that he has “explained” him or “made him (God) known”.

This is the Greek word “exegeomai”.

This is where we get the English word “exegetical” from, which means to explain fully.

Application: We see the incarnation and revelation of God within the pages of Scripture.

Often, people talk about having an experience of seeing Jesus, and speaking with him. None of these things can be substantiated, they are highly subjective experiences, and frankly this is how many cults being (i.e. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses).

God has given the unchanging Scriptures to depend on as our ultimate revelation of God.

2 Peter 1:16-21.

The written Scripture is more fully confirmed than the experience of the disciples/Apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Psalm 138:2 “I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”