Scripture Alone: God’s Word Incarnate, Part 2

John 1:14–18 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. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Review from last week.

The Word “logos” became flesh.

The eternal, distinctly, divine Word with the Father from the beginning has now taken on flesh.

Jesus Christ, God’s Glorious Word “enfleshed” to reveal God to us; God’s Superior Word that speaks a better word to us.

Jesus Christ, God’s Glorious Word.

John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…

His Glory “tabernacled” amongst us.

The word for “dwelt” could also be rendered

“tabernacled”

“tented” amongst man

“took up residence” with man.

God dwelt with His people in the OT.

In the OT God’s Shekinah glory was placed in the tent of meeting.

Exodus 40:34–35 ESV

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

The people of God even had a whole feast dedicated to remembering it called, the feast of booths.

The feast of booths celebrated when the people of God sojourned in the wilderness.

It celebrated that they wandered in the desert with God’s presence leading them.

Leading them in the cloud by day and the fire by night.

The glory of God came near and dwelt in the tabernacle.

The glory that met face to face with Moses.

That GLORY has become flesh!

The Lord Jesus was clothed with flesh to reveal God to us.

All of this as a backdrop to the reality of God’s Word made flesh.

He tabernacles amongst us.

Gnostics

Gnostics held that the spiritual was good while the physical was bad.

Gnostics tried to escape this body.

Gnostics would try to ascend beyond our physical reality to go to a spiritual existence.

Greek Myths

Greek myths would describe the “gods” as coming to earth.

Greek mythology would describe “deities” as disguising themselves to look like humans.

But they never actually become human.

But think about the wonder and glory of Christmas in this one simple reality that the logos became flesh.

How could the Word of God become flesh?

How could the eternal logos in the beginning become man?

The phrase that John uses to describe the “enfleshing” is extremely paradoxical.

It seems contradictory to say that the Word became flesh.

But there is something extremely important that we must not miss about the nature of mankind.

There is something so primary to the nature of humanity that needs to be observed from this text.

Humanity as Scripture tells us has been made in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Man is created and patterned in God’s image.

Now there has been much ink spilled on this to determine what exactly this image is.

Some people think it simply separates us from the animals.

Unfortunately many try to understand the fact that mankind is made in God’s image compared to animals.

The problem with this is we never get to the baseline of the nature of mankind.

Humanity is made in the image of God.

But Scripture also attests to the fact that Christ Himself is the image of God.

Colossians 1:15 (ESV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Jesus Christ is the image of God.

He is the image that all mankind was meant to be.

A masterful teacher uses visual aids to help their students understand their message.

So also God the Father gives us in Jesus a visual example of what the image of God is.

When we see and hear Jesus, we see and hear what God intended for man.

Community Implications

We believe that the eternal “Logos” robed himself in flesh.

Think about the implications for our community.

God calls us to love one another.

And the reality of Jesus Christ tabernacling amongst us should compel us to all the deepest and darkest places in our community.

But notice the next thing John tells us.

John 1:14 (ESV)

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.

John connects the presence of the Word made flesh to the glory revealed from heaven in the Exodus.

God’s glory has come to dwell with man.

The glory that first dwelt in the tabernacle.

The glory that manifests the presence of God to the people.

The glory that dwelt in the temple.

This glory has come near.

John 1:14 (ESV)

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.

His Glory revealed from the Father.

The glory that shown through the Lord Jesus even in His earthly ministry on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).

Luke 9:29 ESV

29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

The transfiguration is a reminder to the disciples of the glory He shared with the Father before the world began (John 1:14, Phil 2:6-7, John 17:5).

The transfiguration is also a precursor to the glory to come (2 Pet 1:16-18, Rev 1:16).

But why does the Bible say things like, “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him?”

How can you say that Jesus possessed this glory and yet the Bible also say that “he had no majesty?”

It’s not as though everyone could see Jesus’s glory.

Jesus was not walking around shining as he went.

Though His divine glory shone through in certain instances to certain people.

In fact, the most people did not recognize him in his earthly ministry.

But it was only those with eyes to see.

It was only those with ears to hear.

The same is no different today.

If you’re an unbeliever here, I am curious what you think of a text like this.

Maybe you think kind thoughts of Jesus.

“Jesus is like my big brother who is always looking out for me!”

“Jesus is like a good friend that gives me advice on how to live!”

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The evil one actually blinds the minds of unbelievers from seeing Jesus.

He prevents them from seeing the glory of Christ.

Though veiled in flesh, they’re unable to perceive it.

Like seed scattered on the path that birds take away.

In like manner, the unbeliever hears the Word of God but do not understand it.

John 1:14 (ESV)

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.

His Glory full of grace and truth.

This One and Only Son of the Father is the Son who is full of “grace and truth.”

The God who revealed Himself to Moses from the Mountain in glory (Exodus 34:6).

The God who Moses asked of Him, “Show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:19)

Exodus 34:6 ESV

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,

The Word makes clear “the gracious covenant-making and covenant-keeping character of God.” (Reformation Study Bible)

Yahweh revealed Himself as “rich in mercy”, “slow to anger”, and “abounding in covenant love and faithfulness.”

He has been revealed and Jesus Christ is the fullest manifestation of Him to us.

As Colossians 1 tells us…

Colossians 1:19 ESV

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

This Jesus Christ has been revealed.

Think about how different a Christian is from an unbeliever in their “fear of God.”

As we’ve been seeing in Sunday school, it’s not that Christians don’t fear God, because they do.

It is the kind of fear that the Christian has of God that differs from an unbeliever.

An unbeliever fears God with a “slavish fear.”

It’s merely a dreadful fear of God as though he were a “beast.”

Unbelievers are filled with a deception-fueled fear of God that drives them away from Him.

This doesn’t mean that they won’t be filled with all manner of religion.

Quite the contrary.

They will dress a certain way because if they don’t judgment is coming.

They will act a certain way, because if they don’t, then they will be punished.

But the Christians fear is entirely different.

It’s a fear motivated by love.

It’s a fear that has verse 14 tells us sees Jesus as “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

It’s a fear that understands that God is rich in mercy.

And it’s actually God‘s mercy that fuels their fear.

John 1:18 ESV

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

His Glory in revealing the Invisible God.

The Bible tells us in other places…

1 Timothy 1:17 (ESV)

17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:15 (ESV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

God is Spirit.

John 4:24 ESV

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

He is Spirit and thus invisible to people.

He doesn’t dwell in buildings like the ‘gods’ of the nations. (Acts 17:24-25)

But the eternal, invisible God, has been made visible.

He has been made visible in the Son.

John 1:18 (KJV 1900)

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

The phrase translated “the only begotten Son” or “the only God” refers to the Lord Jesus.

The unique, Son of the Father in eternity past, has been made known.

Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is in the most intimate relationship with the Father.

“in the bosom of the Father” [compare Luke 16:22-23, John 13:23]

There is a love and intimacy between Jesus and His Heavenly Father that is unmatched.

Jesus Christ made visible the invisible nature of God.

Jesus Christ laid bare the Father’s heart.

It’s was this nature and purpose of God that the Son makes known.

The word for “he has made Him known” is where we get the word “exegesis” which means to explain the true meaning of something.

To “expound” in great detail the truth about God.

Picture a child that steals a cookie from a cookie jar.

The child steals the cookie and hides it from his father.

Now, why did that child hide the cookie?

Because the child feared punishment from the father.

The hiding of the cookie reveals that the child’s relationship with the father is very cold.

Now pretend the same child does the same thing.

But he believes that his father is kind and gracious and forgiving.

What will he do?

He will quickly come to a loving father that is eager to forgive.

When we see Jesus saying…

Matthew 11:28 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

He’s revealing the Only God to us.

He’s revealing the character of God.

John 19:30 (ESV)

“It is finished…”

He’s revealing what God is like.

Unwilling to allow sin to go unpunished.

Unwilling to that His people should perish.

John 3:17 ESV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Jesus Christ, God’s Superior Word.

(John 1:15-17)

John 1:15 ESV

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

His Superiority to John the Baptist in pre-existence.

In John’s day and age, age and precedence carried with it honor.

John the Baptist was born first.

He was older than Jesus.

He was by all appearances more significant than Jesus.

He was regarded as a prophet.

Even John testified to the reality of the pre-incarnate Christ.

It’s not as though John thinks to himself,

“Jesus ranks before me because he is morally superior to me.”

Though that would be true.

“Jesus ranks before me because he is stronger than me.”

Though that also is true.

John the Baptist sees Jesus as ranking before him because Jesus preceded him.

“Jesus ranks before me because HE was BEFORE ME!”

John 8:58 ESV

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John the Baptist was able to see that Jesus was the glory at the Father’s side before all worlds.

He saw Jesus as the full revelation of the Father to us.

John 3:30 ESV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:33–35 ESV

33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

John 1:17 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

His Superiority to Moses in revealing grace and truth.

For John, Moses is the man that God gave his law through.

Moses is the man who is referred to in another place as the mediator of the Old Covenant.

He was the one who received the Old Covenant stipulations from God for the people.

John 1:17 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Now, if you would be a Jew hearing this, you’d be floored.

You’d be absolutely blown away that Moses could be called less than someone else.

The law given through Moses was good.

The law given through Moses revealed the character of God to the people of God.

So in that way, the Law was a very gracious thing.

But the law was limited in what it could do.

The law could reveal God’s standard.

The law could reveal human sin.

But the law could not bring life.

Law & Grace and the Dusty Room of Sin

There is a scene in Pilgrim’s progress that I hope eventually captures your mind like it has captured mine.

Christian is brought into a room that is being swept when a room that is dusty is swept.

It creates dust.

This dust chokes Christian.

Interpreter tells Christian that the dust represents our sin and the law is the person sweeping.

The law stirs up sin in this room and causes him great discomfort.

And it is only until interpreter calls in Grace that the dust is alleviated.

Grace is represented by a woman sprinkling water.

It is only after the room is sprinkled with water set the broom can clean the room.

So it is the heart of every Christian.

This is why John is so overjoyed to say that Jesus is greater than Moses.

Like Paul says…

Romans 5:20–21 ESV

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus is greater than Moses because the covenant that Jesus has brought is a covenant of grace and truth.

It’s a covenant that reveals gods standard forgives and empowers to obey that standard.

John 1:16 ESV

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Make no mistake, it’s not people‘s self-esteem that keeps them from coming to Christ.

It’s not their low view of self that keeps them from coming to Jesus.

It’s their high regard for themselves that keeps them from coming.

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

― Deitrich Bonhoeffer

His Superiority to us in replenished grace.

It is from the fullness of Jesus Christ that we all receive “grace upon grace.”

That phrase “grace upon grace” can seem confusing.

But it literally means “grace in the place of the grace already given.”

We have received grace already in the giving of the Law of Moses.

Then we receive grace all the more from the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Think of how needy this makes us.

There is nothing that you and I do in the Christian life that is dependent upon us alone.

Everything we have is of Grace.

Everything we accomplish is of Grace.

You and I need the sprinkling of the grace of God in Jesus Christ to make any progress in the Christian life.

You and I need Grace.

But the beauty of what Jesus has come to bring is a grace upon grace.

Grace in place of Grace.

Jesus Christ, God’s Glorious Word “enfleshed” to reveal God to us; God’s Superior Word that speaks a better word to us.