THE WORD BECAME FLESH!

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And theWord was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:1,14, KJV).

Devotion 3 of 10

AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH

"And the Word became flesh . . . " That "the Word" COULD become "flesh" is staggering to consider. That He DID become "flesh" is greater still. This reality has challenged the most prodigious thinkers of our race. In the blazing light of this truth, a number of things can be perceived. Here we see the glory of Divine initiative. We behold the extent of God's love, and His willingness to save. We see the amazing capacity of God for longsuffering and the accomplishment of His purpose. Stand in the light of this affirmation and behold the magnitude of your salvation. Its roots are anchored in eternity past, and its fruits are seen in abundance in eternity future. The Creator willingly submitted to be "begotten," and, entering into a defiled and polluted realm, there increased "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). THE WORD BECAME FLESH, and did so voluntarily. As it is written of Him, "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God" (Heb 10:5-9). Not only did He come of His own volition, He entered into the appointed work with unparalleled zeal. Before He was "made flesh," the prophet said of Him, "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." When His disciples beheld His aggressiveness, they recalled this Scripture (John 2:17).

What Was Involved In Becoming Flesh

Academic explanations will not suffice when handling this spiritual nugget. We must probe the Word of God itself to gain profitable insight into the Word becoming flesh. It is at once apparent that this involved stepping down, taking a lower station, and submitting to restriction. The Spirit proclaims this with powerful words in Philippians the second chapter. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:5-8). We must linger in this scared room! Here we will learn of the greatness of God, the glory of redemption, and the accessibility of salvation. His consideration. Ponder the consideration of "the Word." He not only was "with God," He "was God." He must now divest Himself of Divine prerogatives. Though Himself God, He must now submit to a state where He is dependent upon and subordinate to God. He Who created all things will Himself be begotten .The royal robe of Deity must be laid aside, and He must take upon Himself the form of man. How does He view this remarkable humiliation? The KJV and NKJV says, "He counted it not robbery to be equal with God." The NIV, RSV, and NASV say, He "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." Darby translates it with strength with the words, "did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God." The Spirit is depicting the Word's evaluation of having to lay aside the prerogatives of Deity. What did He think about forfeiting equality with God? The answer comes back in thunderous tones. He did not consider it robbery! He did not consider Himself to have been plundered! He refused to cling to that equality, but chose instead to humble Himself! The salvation of humanity was worth the sacrifice! The rescue of the fallen offspring of God was undertaken without any hesitancy, regret, or sorrow! He knew if God did not come down to man, man could not go up to God! He submitted to the restriction of a corporeal frame in a polluted realm. While dwelling among us, and in anticipation of His death, Jesus said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!" (Luke 12:50, RSV). The "baptism" was that of suffering. He would be overwhelmed by suffering, eventuating in His vicarious death. The KJV says He was "straitened," or held in. Later versions emphasize the effect of this containment by translating the phrase, "how distressed I am until it be accomplished" (NKJV, NASB, NIV). A restriction is referenced here that we are not capable of comprehending. Deity in confinement, and voluntarily so! Ponder it with wonder!

-- TOMORROW: HE HUMBLED HIMSELF --