The Word Became Flesh
Christmas is almost here and the celebration of Christ coming is in full swing this 2018. At HBC, we are always excited to declare the gospel and to speak of what it means for us that the Word became flesh when Christ was born. As we are preaching through Advent currently at Hillview, the topic of the ‘incarnation’ is truly a mystery to never be overlooked or taken for granted. It is the Word of which itself tells us the true Christmas story. It is the Word, when read and taught by the power of the Holy Spirit, one can know the truth in Christmas, we all cherish so much.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Many people, even Christians for that matter, are not aware of the understanding of John 1:14. The disciple wrote “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”. The meaning and use of the word “dwelt” is the same as that of the “tabernacle” from the Old Testament. One theologian says that when translating the text we could read it as “the Word became flesh and ‘tabernacled’ amongst us”. To be clear, let us think back to Israel in the years wandering in the wilderness when they had the tabernacle in their possession, of which meant, God was with them. The account of their travels is always clear to include the fact God never left their presence. Rather, He stayed with them by this clear and physical truth right in front of their eyes. They could see it and they knew He was there.
“When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.” (Exodus 33:9-10)
In the account of the Israelites in the wilderness, we see an understanding of the need for intercession by a mediator for the people to have communication with God. This mediation was performed by Moses. When reading through Exodus 25-31, one can read in great detail more sacrificial details related to the need to prepare the mediator for the hope to be close to God. All of this is both scary, reverent, and true in having a clear picture of God’s holiness and our fallen state.
One Mediator, One Christ
Paul would later write to his disciple and preacher in training, Timothy, that the need for an earthly mediator was no longer a need at all. Instead, he would say the mediator was Christ Himself.
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5)
I’m not sure of how you view Christmas. Possibly it’s just nostalgic time of year for you. Maybe you like the Christmas carols. Or it could be you simply enjoy the family, friends, food and fellowship. Still, the truth of Christmas is wrapped up in the Son of God becoming a man and how He “dwelt” amongst us. Literally, all of the intercession needed by a priest, or by a person working to be temporarily clean enough to shortly mediate on our behalf would come to an end because of that Christmas day, for Christ would come and “…save His people from their sin.” (Matthew 1:21)
When Christ came, He came to us, and became one of us. He lived. He cried. He was hungry. He was thirsty. He was cold and hot. He worked. He sweat. He learned. He grew. He loved. He would die. That death was significant. Because unlike the death of all of the other mediators, His death was the perfect sacrificial death because He was the sinless Lamb of God. So lastly, and most importantly, He rose.
We want everyone to know that at HBC we teach the Word every week. Our Sunday morning Bible studies at 9:15am are a great place to dig into this practical, eye opening, and life changing study of the Word. HBC has classes for all ages. This Christmas join us for Sunday School/Small Groups at Hillview Baptist Church. Come Grow In Christ With Us!
