Jesus Became Flesh

Word Became Flesh

God the Son stepped into creation to reveal the glory of God and give grace to those who believe in truth.

Jesus Glory

The Greek word for glory is doxa. It means one that has honor. When you think about someone that is honorable, they typically are going to have characteristics about them that are virtuous. They are to be highly esteemed. They are to be highly honored.

One of the greatest honors in America is the congressional medal of honor. It is given to a person that has demonstrated tremendous valor.

The Medal is authorized for any military service member who “distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty

While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party."

Sylvester Antolak WWII

Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machine-gun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. Fully 30 yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machine-gun, machine-pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and knocked to the ground, but each time he struggled to his feet to continue his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply gashed and his right arm shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration with his submachine gun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards of the enemy strongpoint, where he opened fire at deadly close range, killing two Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized his men and, refusing to seek medical attention so badly needed, chose to lead the way toward another strongpoint 100 yards distant. Utterly disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he had stormed ahead nearly three-fourths of the space between strongpoints when he was instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Inspired by his example, his squad went on to overwhelm the enemy troops. By his supreme sacrifice, superb fighting courage, and heroic devotion to the attack, Sgt. Antolak was directly responsible for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machine gun, and clearing the path for his company to advance.

Jesus Christ Honor

When we consider what Christ did, there is nothing in comparison to what He has done for humanity. He stepped out of the glories of heaven to become a man. He came to a world that was under significant attack from the greatest enemy of all times. The Satanic army is fierce and powerful. It has attacked God’s creation from the beginning. Creation is powerless against his army. Christ came to defeat Satan and his army. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.1 John 3:8

It was not an easy task. He would have to live a difficult life full of suffering and persecution. He would be betrayed by the people he came to save, his closest friends, and those who claimed to be his friends. Ultimately he would suffer illegal trials, false witnesses, torture at the hands of the Jews and Romans, being put to death in the most painful way (crucifixion), and most devastatingly bearing the punishment for all humanities sin.

He would raise from the dead, defeating sin and death, and bring eternal life to those who believe in His name.

Though Jesus did not receive the congressional medal of honor, let me share with you what He did receive.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil.2:9-11

12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Jesus Grace

The Greek word here is Charis. It means to have divine influence of the heart. Jesus has the power to have influence and change the hearts of men and women. John said that he was full of grace. Anyone that experienced Jesus experienced His grace.

Jesus healed a demon possessed man that had no hope. He was violent and condemned to live in the grave yard for his entire life. Jesus healed him and this is what happened:

37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might [d]accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:37-39

Jesus healed him from his sickness, liberated him from the abode of death, gave him life, and afforded him the opportunity to advance the kingdom.

This is exactly what the grace of Christ does for us. It heals us from the sickness of sin, rescues us from hell, and gives us opportunity to tell others about Christ.

Jesus Truth

Truth is simply that which is true. Christ is truth. Everything that He said and did is Truth.

6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

The greatest illustration of truth is found by Pilate’s encounter with Jesus.

33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this [j]on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom [k]is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not [l]of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”

Jesus proclaims that he is king and that everyone who is of the truth hears his voice! Truth comes from hearing the voice of God!

We Receive Grace upon Grace In Christ

Remembering that grace is the divine influence of the heart. Christ is the one who influences our hearts. Grace is that power that Christ gives to overcome sin and live in righteousness. This is why we sing victory in Jesus. He has not only saved us but, given us power over sin!

I see this in Paul’s life

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to [b]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [c]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with [d]insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:7-10

There was a thorn in the flesh to keep Paul humble. The thing that humbles is sin. As a believer in Christ, we have a desire to live for Christ. When we sin we recognize that we constantly need His forgiveness. This keeps us from being self-righteous.

Could it be that Paul suffered from a temptation that served as a thorn in the flesh? Did he ask the Lord to remove the temptation? God said my grace is sufficient. Simply put Jesus had already given him the power over the temptation. Paul needed to lean on Christ strength in the temptation rather than fighting it on his own. This is why Jesus said power is perfected in weakness.

This is the way it is in our lives. When we receive Christ we receive the power over sin. Spiritual maturity is learning how to tap into the power of Christ and not depending on self for the overcoming of temptation. More broadly spiritual growth is leaning into the power of Christ in every facet of our life.

This is why John says that we have received grace upon grace. Our walk with Christ is a journey of recognizing Christ power in our weaknesses. When we discover the power of God in our weakness our faith becomes stronger!

Law Given, Grace & Truth Realized

John says that the Law was given through Moses. The law had no power to save. The purpose of the law was to demonstrate that everyone needs a Savior.

7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except [e]through the Law; for I would not have known about [f]coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not [g]covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me [h]coveting of every kind; for apart [i]from the Law sin is dead. 9 I was once alive apart [j]from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; 10 and this commandment, which was [k]to result in life, proved [l]to result in death for me; 11 for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. Rom. 7:7-13

21 I find then the [n]principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God [o]in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in [p]the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner [q]of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from [r]the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Rom. 7:21-25

The law that was given to Moses shows us what is sinful. Coveting, lying, stealing, adultery, dishonoring parents, murdering, not honoring God, worshipping idols, taking God’s name in vain, & not observing the sabbath are all sins. We are all guilty of breaking them. Because we are guilty of breaking them we must pay the penalty of eternal death as a consequence of our rebellion.

This is where grace & truth is realized! Jesus came to pay our sin debt by taking our punishment on the cross. He satisfied the wrath of God on our behalf. All we have to do is repent of our sins, believe everything Jesus is the Son of God and commit our life to follow Him. When we do this grace and truth are realized in our lives!