Became Flesh

Welcome

Well, good morning, Lifepoint! Like Kale said, my name is Dan and I serve as the teaching pastor for the Worthington campus. Really grateful to be here with you all today.

Introduction

Some of you know this about my family, but we are recent transplants to Columbus - about a year and half ago, we moved from Chicago.

I was a teaching pastor at a church Down Town for about 10 years. It’s the place where I learned how to be a pastor. I really developed my teaching voice there…

I loved the work, loved our church family, loved the tight network of some of the deepest friendships I’ve ever experienced.

But in our final two years, Courtney and I both started to sense that perhaps our time at the church was coming to an end - that God might be up to something that would ultimately place us somewhere else - nothing tangible was on the table - but just this simmering sense that this might not be our forever role.

But as we were praying about this in the background of our lives - something else was stirring in our church that we weren’t really aware of.

A series of conflicts erupted that placed Courtney and I in a very difficult position - and pulled on every side - we spent hundreds of hours trying to navigate the tension - we finally recognized that our time had come to an end.

And obviously, I’m paraphrasing quite a bit here…but I’ll say that in all, the final 6 months at our church was the most painful season of life Courtney and I had ever walked through.

There were nights where we would just sit there…barely present - staring off in the distance - in silence - other than to say, “I can’t believe this is happening.”

And even when everything was over and we had left, we still felt this whole storm of emotions raging inside. We felt betrayed and angry about it. We felt abandoned and isolated because of it. We felt rejected. We felt exposed and vulnerable because we couldn’t interact with any lies that were being told about us.

But more than any of that, we were exhausted.

Exhausted from having to tell the whole story. Exhausted from having to explain all the nuance of everything. Exhausted from having to justify our decisions. Exhausted from revisiting all of this every time someone would check-in because how else could we possibly answer the question, “How are you doing” with even a shred of honesty without getting in to it?!

A few weeks after our decision to leave, I was invited to attend a small retreat for pastors…and I cannot tell you how much I did not want to go.

But I will never forget the moment on the first night, we were broken up into small one-on-one groups sharing a bit of our stories…and when it was my turn, I remember thinking, “What the heck…I’m here so I might as well be honest.”

I opened up a bit - fully prepared for all the follow-up that happened every other time I talked about it.

And this older pastor sat there, listening. And when I finished, he was silent for a moment - and he just said, “I get it.”

No solutions… No think-about-it-this-way’s…

Just three words I didn’t know how much I needed.

I…get…it.

It was the first time in 8 months that I thought, maybe I’m not crazy.

There is something so powerful about those three words, isn’t there? Because, all at once, they make you feel seen, heard, understood. They make you feel like, “If someone else get’s it…then maybe I’m not really alone.”

Why am I bringing this up?

Because I think, at it’s core, what was said to me on that retreat…is actually a central, but missing, piece of the Christmas story as we re-tell it.

See, I think a lot of us, if we’re honest, have a bit of a strange relationship with the whole Christmas season.

And you might not be able to put your finger on exactly what it is…but for ALL of the fan-fare…for all of the anticipation…all the lights, traditions, all the STUFF…there still tends to be something about Christmas as we experience it that, honestly, is a bit of a let down.

Christmas ends up not being the magical time of year when our problems are solved - we find true love - and go on to live our quaint life worthy of a Hallmark movie.

We find ourselves again on December 26…still anxious and frayed - still in debt - maybe more so. Your spouse has not changed - you’re still fighting - you still feel alone.

Much like me heading into that retreat - you’re exhausted, frayed, and spent.

But in the Christmas story as John tells it, he invites us to imagine ourselves with all what we’ve got swirling around our lives…every pain, every frustration…every disappointment…ALL OF IT…he invites us to imagine ourselves before our God who looks at us and says: “I get it.”

So if you’re not there yet, open up with me to John 1…v. 14.

I’ll read the passage, pray, and then we’ll get started.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Pray

Flesh

Alright, let’s go ahead and get started.

I said that in John’s version of the Christmas story, it’s like were invited into a conversation with God who looks at us and says, “I get it.”

What do I mean by that?

Well, let’s take a look at the passage again.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Last week, Kale walked you through the first section of this verse, focusing on “The Word.” And the main point was that John is focusing on Jesus’ divinity. That Jesus is the Word…and just like John says in v. 1:

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

This week, we focusing on the next segment, that the Word became flesh.

What does this mean?

Well, any theology book worth it’s salt will tell you the focus here is on Jesus’ humanity. And immediately go into a lengthy and worth while discussion of how Jesus can be both God and man. This, after all, is one of the great mysteries of the Scriptures - alongside the doctrine of the Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being three distinct persons and yet One God.

From John 1:14 and several other passages, Theologians since the fifth century have talked about the Hypostatic Union meaning that there were two natures within the one Person of Jesus Christ - that he was both fully God…and fully man.

And we could have a lengthy discussion of all the nuance and complexity here…

But in the conversation, I think we might end up missing the forest for the trees. See, the Bible doesn’t exist so we have a doctrinal answer key…it exists to show us who God is and what He’s like.

So I want to use our time to ask the question what does it mean that Jesus…the Word…became flesh?

Word Choice Matters

First of all, I think we have to acknowledge how jarring this language really is - or would have been for John’s original audiance.

See, if all John wanted to communicate to us is that Jesus became human, he had other ways to do that.

Let’s start from the ground up.

Remember, the New Testament was originally written in Greek, not English. And if you were to study the language, you would find that there are at least four different ways John could get this idea across.

He could have written, “And the Word became A PERSON (anthropos) and dwelt among us.”

He could have written, “And the Word became A MAN (aner) and dwelt among us.”

He could have echoed the popular Greek myths where gods often transformed into humans. He could have said, 'The Word took the form of a person...'

But John says something different.

And if you can strip away the fact that this is just the way we’ve always heard this verse…if He’s just trying to talk about Jesus’ humanness…it’s actually a really odd way to say it…

John says, “The Word became FLESH (sarx) and dwelt among us.”

And I’ve been really intrigued by this over the last few weeks…of all the ways he could have said it, John chooses the strangest way…actually the most reckless way!

Because, you see, that word, “Flesh” doesn’t really have the best connotation.

It would be like me saying, “My wife is awful.” but, wait, what I mean by awful is the original meaning - full of awe and wonder - that she’s a fantastic wife!

You’d be like…pick another word.

Why?

Because no one else uses that way!

That’s a bit like John’s choice to talk about the Word becoming flesh.

If we just look at the rest of the New Testament, it’s not true of every instance, but the vast majority of the time, the world “Flesh” means something like our sinful nature…or reflection of our brokenness…our weakness.

Here’s the way Paul talks about it in Galatians 5.

Galatians 5:17–21 (ESV)

17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other….19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

Not overly positive.

It’s true that Flesh can also just mean human being…just like “awful” can just mean fantastic. But it tended not to be used that ways.

The “Flesh” is our capacity both to hurt and be hurt by others.

The “Flesh” is the limitation of being human. It is to be confined and mortal. It is the ability to feel pain and joy…the flesh is mortal…vulnerable. In a sense, it’s limiting.

Interestingly enough, of all of the Greek myths we know of where the gods like Zeus are described as coming to down to earth in the form of people, they are never described as taking on flesh…

Because the ancients did not want to associate all that with their gods.

Do you see what I mean when I say John uses the most reckless option available to him?

But what if that’s exactly his point?

What if in these two words, John is trying to communicate something about Jesus that is altogether different and utterly unique compared to any idea of God. See, I think he would go toe to toe with anyone who would push back on his word choice, because the kind of vulnerability that is communicating is precisely the point!

That in becoming Flesh - God is taking on the ability to hurt…to feel pain…sorrow and longing. He is choosing the ability to suffer…he is choosing to become mortal and experience the full range of all of what it means to be human…all of what it means to be like us!

And the shocking reality is that in becoming like us, he has taken on the ability in the fullest way imaginable to look across the table - look us in the eye - and honestly say, “I…get…it. I get it.”

Transition

Okay…but what does that actually mean for us? Can we “flesh that out” a bit more?

I think as we look through the rest of the New Testament storyline, that the Word takes on flesh, means at least three truth that I want to focus on this morning.

It means that we are not alone in our temptation, we are not alone in our emotions, and we are not alone in our suffering.

We are not alone in our Temptation

Let’s take a look the first one - The Word becoming flesh means we are not alone in our temptation.

When you get to the New Testament book of Hebrews, we find this really interesting description of Jesus - and the author sets all of this in the days of Jesus’s flesh - interestingly one of the few times where the same word John uses has a good connotation.

Look with me at Hebrews 4. Heb. 4:14-15

Hebrews 4:14–15 (ESV)

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

That’s pretty shocking language, isn’t it?

Jesus is able to sympathize with our weakness?

Look at the end of verse 15…because he “…in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

How does that work? How can that work, right?

I don’t think this is something we really appreciate - that Jesus has experienced temptation in every way. And we might play the theological counter-factuals…

Because to actually be tempted, doesn’t that imply that we have to ability to give in to that temptation? And if that’s true, does that mean Jesus actually could have given in to temptation?

We tend to think of temptation in a very specific way.

Think of a magnet…how does it?

Well, it attracts some metal filament in an adjust object - so if you hold it up to a fridge door, it sticks. But if you hold it up to, say, a leather bag. Nothing. We tend to think of temptation like that - that it pulls at something that already exists inside of us; pulling us to do something that we don’t really want to do.

So - when you have private moment - and there is something inside of you that wants to pull out your phone and get back to a whole world of content that you promised yourself you would never go back to - and then you do it anyway…this is how we normally think of temptation.

But, let’s be clear here. That is not you giving into temptation. That is not doing what you don’t want to do…it’s doing exactly what you want to do…

No, the tempting part is not pulling at something that already exists in you, temptation is the lie that you hear that says, doing this thing will fulfill something inside of you…it will meet a need you have…it will give you something God wants to keep from you.

This is how Jesus was tempted in the gospel accounts - in the wilderness - when Satan speaks to him. It’s a lie that says if you do this, then you will be fulfilled…if you do this, then you will be happy. Then you will have what you need.

And Jesus calls it out! He calls out the lie.

And I know it might feel like I’m splitting hairs here, but I think it’s crucial if we want navigate temptation, not alone, but WITH Jesus.

We hear this lie all the time. We hear it about our careers - that if we just get to the next level…we hear it about sexuality - if you just had the right partner, you would be fulfilled - about our finances…about our families…fill in the blank, there is an enemy that lies to you constantly telling you can actually find joy, meaning, and satisfaction - and it’s just around the corner!

And yet, here is Jesus, the Word become Flesh who, looks across the table and says, “In every way…I get it.” I know what it is to be lied to!

So how do we, like Jesus, call out the lie?

In the same passage, the author of Hebrews tells us.

He knows what it’s like to be tempted…

Keep reading v. 16

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Every lie…every temptation…at any given moment, we bring this lie back to God himself - and even say, “I want to believe this!” God I want to believe that pornography will satisfy me…I want to believe that my career…my influence…my prominence is what matters most!

You see, when we encounter the lie - what ever it is - however strong, clear, persuasive - we so often feel that we are alone in that temptation. This is why we hardly ever talk about it anyone else. We are ashamed. Afraid.

And to that, Jesus says, “You are not alone. You are not the only one. I…get it.”

And like Him, we don’t need to believe that lie!

Friends, because the Word became flesh, the first truth is we don’t have to be alone in our temptation.

We are not alone in our Emotions

Here’s the second truth.

We are not alone in our emotions.

Again, looking at the full storyline of the Bible, Jesus showed the full range of human emotion.

I think this is part of what made a TV series like The Chosen so powerful for people because it was the first time that many people actually imagined Jesus as someone who laughed…cried…got angry…got hurt! And it’s not because that series invented these things, it’s because this is really what we see over and over again through the New Testament.

I think one of the most moving examples is in John 11 and the story of Lazarus - a close friend of Jesus’ who died.

And there is this moment when he finally arrives at the funeral - Lazarus’ sister, Mary, just overcome with grief approaches Jesus - and says, “Hey, if you had been here…He would still be here.”

And when you read the story - you can hear the pain in her words - it’s the pain that some many of us are way too familiar with…because we’ve voiced the same things.

God if you really cared… If you were really loved… If you were really good… If you were there…this wouldn’t have happened. You would have stopped it.

Look at v. 33. John 11:33-35

John 11:33–35 ESV

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

He was deeply moved. He was troubled. He wept.

Jesus experiences all the same emotions we do. All of it.

And the thing is, he doesn’t invite us to just put on brave face and go around acting if we’re okay…He doesn’t just tell us to move on because in the end it will all be okay…He doesn’t just give us pat answers. He is one who weeps with those who weep.

He is there - he is present - he leans in.

Because the Word became flesh means we are not alone in our emotions. They are not things we need to pretend don’t exists.

We bring all of this to the table - the storm of everything ranging on inside of us - he doesn’t tell us to shake it off — He looks across the table - looks us in the eye and says, “I get it.”

You are not alone in your emotions.

We are not alone in our Suffering

Finally, the Word become flesh means we are not alone in our suffering.

We are not alone in our suffering.

I think that this is the most audacious aspects of the God choosing to step down into our stories - choosing to step into our world and taking on capacity not only to be tempted…not only to experience emotion…but to take on the capacity to suffer.

Centuries before the time of Jesus - the Old Testament prophet Isaiah would write these words, talking about Him:

Isaiah 53:3–5 (ESV)

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

You see, there is no other religious system built on this idea - that God actually chooses to suffer. The greek myths never talk about the gods taking on flesh - because the idea of a God who suffers is so backwards!

And yet, this is precisely what the Christian story is - in becoming flesh, God chooses to meet us in our suffering - He chooses to join us in our suffering. Ultimately, in the person of Jesus, God chooses to take on mortality.

But here’s the thing. It’s not just so that He can say to our suffering, “I get it.”

It’s not just so that we don’t have to be alone in our suffering.

You see, God enters into our world so that He can actually do something about our suffering - so that he can actually fix our brokenness, heal our wounded-ness. And this is what Jesus does on the cross.

It’s at that point where God looks at the totality of our lives - all of what we’ve done - all of what’s been done to us - all of what we’ve experienced and what He inevitably finds to be true of all of us - all of humanity - is that we have fallen short of His standard - we have all failed to live the way we’ve been created to live. And because that’s the case, what we have actually earned is not God’s affection, but judgment.

And yet, on the Cross, Jesus looks at the full weight of our sin - the judgment that we have earned - and says, “I get it. Put that on me.”

The apostle Paul says it this way:

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake he made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The story of Christianity is the story of the crucified God whom we have failed - whom we have sinned against - but who ultimately becomes flesh to live the life we could have, but failed to live. So that he would die the death we should have died that, by faith in Him and His work on the cross - in His death and resurrection from the dead, can find life!

It is the story of the God who suffered and died alone so that we wouldn’t have to.

So What?

Today is opportunity to take hold of that life. It’s to meet the God who looks at all of what we experience in the life, from cradle to grave and says, “I get it.”

You don’t have to be alone..you don’t have to be tempted alone - you don’t have to experience your emotions alone. After all, the Christmas story is the story of the one who ‘gets it’.

How do I engage with the one who ‘gets it’?