The Mystery of the Incarnation

1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

16 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.

What does God look Like? Jesus provides the answer.

He Came to Reveal (1-4)

The Word is eternal, co-equal with God. The Word is creator, nothing has been made without Him. Everything was made through Him.

He came to reveal who God is to us. John 14:9 “Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

He Came to Redeem (29-34)

Behold the Lamb of God! He is the only one that can remove our sin.

He Invites us to Respond

Jesus gives an invitation to seekers to follow Him.

Two of disciples of John the Baptist, Andrew and John, instantly begin to follow Jesus, but at the distance.

Maybe it was curiosity, maybe it was a desire to personally know Him, but their stated purpose was to find out where he was staying!

Jesus gives an invitation, “Come and see!”

It was an invitation to fellowship. It was invitation to follow Him. It was an invitation to know Him.

This invitation is repeated:

John 1:46 ESV

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Jesus directly called Philip to follow Him, and Philip begins evangelism immediately!

Following Jesus means that we tell others about Jesus!

Matthew 4:19 ESV

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus grants revelation to skeptics who honestly come to Him.

Jesus knew Nathaniel’s heart. Nathaniel was coming honestly - “no guile”.

Jesus knew Nathaniel’s questions.

Jesus is the Mediator between God and man (the Son of Man).

He points to the story of Jacob vision of a ladder to heaven.

Jesus is the answer to your questions.

Jesus is the ladder to heaven, your access to the Father.