Truly God Truly Man

INTRODUCTION

We are in a series for the month of December called “The Word Revealed”

We’re seeing from John chapter one, how the Word is revealed in Jesus Christ

We’ve already looked at verses 1-13 and saw that the Word is eternal and John the Baptist bore witness to it

And now we’re seeing the greatest passage of Scripture found anywhere in the Bible

It’s found in John 1:14

Here we see that Jesus is “Truly God Truly Man”

Please take God’s Word with me this morning and turn to John chapter one

It says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

This verse reveals that in the Incarnation God took on humanity; the infinite became finite; eternity entered time; the invisible became visible (cf. Col.1:15); the Creator entered His creation” (John MacArthur, John 1-5, 39)

As we look at this single verse this morning, we are going to look at 3 truths regarding the Word

We will see the Word became man; the Word lived among us; and the Word revealed His glory

When we speak of the Word becoming man we are immediately introduced to a theological term called the incarnation

Oxford dictionary defines it as “the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ.”

Scripture defines it as God becoming flesh

Let’s see John’s statement as it unfolds in verse 14

He says, “And the Word became flesh.”

This means…

The Word Became Man (v.14a)

“And the Word became flesh.”

John returns to his theme of the Word

In verse 1 he refers to Jesus as the “Word” 3 times

In verse 14 he refers to Him again as the “Word”

In verse 1 and 14 the definite article is used with Logos to indicate he is the subject of the verse

If you read verse 14 with verse 1 you would quickly see that verses 2-13 are a parenthesis

Listen to both verses together: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

B.F. Wescott says, “The announcement of the mystery of the Incarnation, embracing and completing all the mysteries of revelation, corresponds (as has been already noticed) to the declaration of the absolute Being of the Word in v. 1. "He was God;" and "He became flesh:" eternity and time, the divine and the human, are reconciled in Him. "He was with God;" and "He tabernacled among us:" the divine existence is brought into a vital and historical connexion with human life. "He was in the beginning;" and "we beheld His glory:" He who "was" beyond time was revealed for a space to the observation of men” (The Gospel According to St. John, 10).

John says the Word became flesh

This means He took on humanity

“He became that which, first became through Him” (Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament).

The term “‘became” (ἐγένετο') is the aorist indicative middle form of the verb 'γίνομαι', which means 'to become', 'to come into being', or 'to happen' or He “took to Himself” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary), “emphasizes Christ’s taking on humanity” (MacArthur)

It conveys the idea of a change of state or condition, often implying a transition from one state to another

In the context of John 1:14, it signifies the incarnation of the Word, indicating a definitive moment in time when the divine took on human form

To state this plainly, 'ἐγένετο' is a verb in the aorist tense, which indicates a completed action in the past

The middle voice suggests that the subject (the Word) is involved in the action in a personal way

This means that the Word did not just happen to become flesh; it actively engaged in the process of becoming flesh, highlighting the significance of the incarnation

The word “flesh” (sarx) is a reference to “the whole man” (Brown) even though it is used in the NT in other ways (e.g. sinful passions, Rom.7:18, 20; people, 1 Pet.1:24; 4:6; and a body, Acts 2:31)

He was born according to the flesh

Martin Luther said, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.”

The angel Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1:35 that “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

This would be a supernatural conception

Genesis 3:15 refers to this as being the seed of the woman which means He would be born of a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 says, “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

Luke 2:6-7 says, “While they were there (Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem), the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Romans 1:3 says that Jesus “was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh.”

Philippians 2:7-8 describes all of this as Him emptying “Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

1 Timothy 3:16 says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory” (NKJV)

He was “subject to all the conditions of human existence” (Wescott)

He was born (Lk.2:7)

He grew physically (Lk.2:43)

He grew mentally and physically (Lk.2:52)

He became wearied (Jn.4:6)

He became thirsty (Jn.4:7; 19:28)

He became angry (Jn.2:14-17)

He became hungry (Mat.4:2)

He slept (Mat.8:24)

He was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15)

He became sad (Jn.11:35)

He suffered (Isa.53:4-6)

He died (Jn.19:30)

This does not mean He ceased being God

This means He is “Truly God Truly Man”

We just saw Him as “truly Man”, notice Him now as “truly God”

Colossians 2:9 says, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”

The word “became” does not “mean that Christ ceased to be the eternal Word when He became man

Though God is an immutable, pure eternal ‘being’ and not ‘becoming’ as all His creatures are, in the incarnation the unchangeable (Heb.13:8) God did become fully man, yet remained fully God

He entered the realm of those who are time and space creatures and experienced life as it is for those He created” (John MacArthur, John 1-11, 39)

Cryil of Alexandria (15th century church father) said, “We do not … assert that there was any change in the nature of the Word when it became flesh, or that it was transformed into an entire man, consisting of soul and body; but we say that the Word, in a manner indescribable and inconceivable, united personally … to himself flesh animated with a reasonable soul, and thus became man and was called the Son of man.… The natures which were brought together to form a true unity were different; but out of both is one Christ and one Son. We do not mean that the difference of the natures is annihilated by reason of this union; but rather that the Deity and Manhood, by their inexpressible and inexplicable concurrence into unity, have produced for us the one Lord and Son Jesus Christ” (cited by MacArthur, John 1-11, 39-40).

Everything about Jesus was a miracle…

He had a miraculous birth being born of a virgin (Isa.7:14)

He had a miraculous sinless life (Heb.4:15)

He spoke miraculous words (Luke 4:32)

He had miraculous works…

His name identified who He is: Immanuel (Mat.1:23)

He forgave sin (Mat.9:1-2)

He knew people’s thoughts (Mat.9:3)

He healed and cast out demons (Mat.4:23-24)

He raised the dead (Jn.11)

He raised Himself from the dead (Jn.10:17-18; Mat.28:6)

He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:11)

He will return for His true bride (Jn.14:1-3)

If God became a man, He would have a miraculous birth, sinless life, divine words, supernatural works, world‑shaping influence, and victory over death—and this is exactly who Jesus is.​

The only sufficient explanation for Jesus is that He is God in human flesh.

Even His critics saw this

Listen to the testimony of Julian the Apostate

He was a Roman Emperor from about 361 to 363 and he was a hater of Christians and a hater of Christ

This is what he wrote

He said, “Jesus has now been celebrated about 300 years, having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany." 

It's interesting that even a skeptic like Julian the Apostate couldn't deny the fact that he did that (MacArthur)

Jesus’ miraculous works are one of the best-attested truths of all of human history (MacArthur)

John also says…

The Word Lived Among Us (v.14b)

“And dwelt among us.”

“Dwelt” Gr.skenoo, literally means, “to live in a tent, to settle, to take up one’s temporary dwelling place...Jesus is the replacement of the ancient tabernacle” (Fritz Rienecker, The Linguistic Key to the Greek NT, 218-19)

Jesus literally “tabernacled” among us

“In the Old Testament, God tented with Israel through His glorious presence in the tabernacle (Ex.40:34-35) and later in the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11)” (MacArthur, 41)

A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the term "dwelt among us," which suggests that Christ not only assumed human nature but also lived among people.

This was not a temporary dwelling

He dwelt among men for thirty-three years

He came “to this earth and lived here as a Man among men” (William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Luke 3:23 says, “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age.” Three years later He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended back to heaven

Throughout eternity God will again tent with His redeemed and glorified people

Revelation 21:3 says, “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

The Word became man; the Word lived among us; and (third)…

The Word Revealed His Glory (v.14c)

“And we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The Greek word for “glory” is doxa

Doxa refers to the divine brightness and radiance associated with God’s presence

It a biblical context it often signifies God’s majesty, spender, and the weight of His presence

In the Greco-Roman world, doxa was associated with honor, praise, and reputation

In contrast, John’s use of the term directs the focus toward divine glory, indicating that Jesus embodies the highest honor and purpose

So the witnessing of His "glory" signifies the manifest presence of God through Jesus, which is both a declaration of His divine nature and a revelation of His character

The glory described here is not merely a radiant light but encompasses the attributes of God—particularly His grace and truth

This glory reflects a transcendent reality that surpasses human understanding and cultural norms, centering on divine revelation

The designation "only begotten from the Father" underscores the unique relationship between Jesus and the Father, affirming His divine sonship and authority

Jesus manifested His glory to His disciples

At His transfiguration (Mat.17:1-8)

In John’s vision (Rev.1:12-18)

On the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19; 26:13-15)

Jesus manifested His glory to Isaiah

Isaiah 6:1 says, “In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.”

John 12:37-43 says, “But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM." 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”

Jesus manifested His glory to Moses

Exodus 3:1-14

Jesus manifested His glory to Abraham

In John 8:53-59, the Jews said to Jesus, “Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 57 So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am."59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.”

Jesus manifested His glory to the world

He did that through the miracles, healings, and raising the dead

After his miracle of turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana, John 2:11 says, “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”

Prior to His raising Lazarus from the dead, He called for them to “remove the stone” (Jn.11:39). But Martha said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:39-40)

In John 12:27-36 the crowd heard a voice from heaven responding to Jesus’ prayer for the Father to glorify His name

CONCLUSION

Jesus was full of both “grace and truth.”

The fullness of "grace and truth" indicates that in Christ, God’s grace is perfectly manifested, offering redemption and reconciliation, while His truth reveals the reality of God’s holiness and the moral order of His creation

In Christ, grace and truth converge, demonstrating that salvation is not only a gift but also a means to understand and live in accordance with divine truth

“He manifested the same essential glory as the Father, because as God they possess the same nature” (MacArthur, 42).

Moses prayed to see God’s glory in Ex.33:18.

God responded by saying, I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion” (v.19)

So the Lord placed in the clef of a rock and then passed by him allow him to see his “back” (vv.22-23) and the Lord proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations” (34:6-7)

When Jesus Christ was tabernacled on earth for 33 years, the disciples and the world saw His “grace and truth.”

They saw His glory, even though it was veiled in flesh

When Jesus returns again, it will not be veiled

Matthew 24:29-30 says, “"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.”

Why did Jesus tabernacle among us?

For one purpose—to be the Light of the world that those who believe in Him may be saved

Jesus said in John 12:35-36, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light."

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If your greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. Source Unknown.

Have you believed in the Light, the Lord Jesus Christ?

He became man, dwelt among us for 33 years, suffered on the cross for our sins, died, and rose from the dead on the third day so that we could be forgiven of all our sin

Have Jesus forgiven you of your sin?

I want to invite you to bow your head as we pray

Will you call upon Him now?

If it’s to be forgiven and receive salvation, or if it is to praise Him for your forgiveness—call on Him now

After we pray, I will be available for you if you would like spiritual help

Let’s pray now