THE WORD BECAME FLESH!

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word 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 6 of 10

HE DWELT AMONG US

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory." Though veiled, it was "the Word" that dwelt among us. With Divine prerogatives left in escrow, as it were, "the Word" tabernacled among "the people who walked in darkness" (Isa 9:2; Matt 4:16). He was not born in an isolated area, but in a city at the time of taxation, when public registration was taking place. Neither, indeed, was He raised in the wilderness, but in a city teeming with activity. It was not a wholesome city, but one out of which good was not expected to come (John 1:46). Prior to His public ministry, He was known as "the carpenter," one Who interfaced with people (Mark 6:3). Throughout His ministry, He was among the people, ministering in cities, countrysides, homes, the temple, and synagogues. He attended wedding feasts, sat with publicans, and engaged in dialog with religious leaders. He "dwelt among us," a visible, active, and accessible figure. One translation says, "He set His tabernacle in our midst." Here was the ultimate fulfillment of Leviticus 26:11; "I will set My tabernacle among you." This was a time when, as Ezekiel put it, "My sanctuary is in their midst" (Ezek 37:28). Jesus was the ambulatory Temple of God, set up among men. By "dwelt among us," more is meant than merely being where we are. It was here that the enfleshed Word "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb 4:15). He confronted the devil for extended periods, facing focused and powerful temptation (Matt 4:1-11; Luke 22:40-44). He experienced weariness (John 4:6), hunger (Matt 4:2), rejection (Isa 53:5), sorrow (Matt 26:37), inner groaning (John 11:33,38), and weeping (Luke 19:41; John 11:35). The attacks of men, Satan, and the power of darkness fell upon Him. He was identified with us in human experience, particularly as it relates to maintaining identify with God. He faced the Tempter as One stripped of Divine entitlements, and in a weakened state. He felt the downward pull of the flesh, and extended effort to resist the urge to sin. He thus triumphed over the wicked one, displaying his inferiority. Just as He was born to die, He dwelt among us for a high purpose. That purpose relates to His intercessory work. He is our appointed High Priest, sitting at the right hand of God in our behalf. His presence there is focused in objective. He is not merely keeping the wrath of God from coming upon our heads. As our High Priest, He is ministering required resources to His people. He is mediating the New Covenant, bringing the benefits of it to those who have "received Him" (John 1:12). What is more, He is accomplishing this work as one Who is able to "be touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb 4:15). His heart is in His indispensable work, because "He dwelt among us." His entrance into the arena of warfare enabled Him to be a "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Heb 2:17). To be an effective High Priest "for men," Jesus had to be "taken from among men" (Heb 5:1). That is one of the fundamental reasons He "dwelt among us." Our present spiritual sustenance and upholding is owing to Him being a "merciful and faithful High Priest." It was His tenure among us that so wonderfully suited Him for this ministry. He now ministers to us as One familiar with our situation. He not only has what we need, but desires to give it.

-- TOMORROW: WE BEHELD HIS GLORY --