The Word Became Flesh

There are many views of Jesus. Some view him as a prophet, life coach, moral philosopher, profound teacher and Jewish Messiah but Christians are clear that while his identity includes these things He is more; He the Son of God, fully divine. John the apostle opens his biography of Jesus with the following. John 1:1& 14 states: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Word refers to Jesus. Notice John says, “The Word was God.”
The apostle Paul says of the divinity of Jesus: “The Son is the image of the God, . . .” 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  . . . 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Colossians 1:15a,16, 19). This fact is stunning because in the beginning Paul, who previously was Saul, actively opposed the church until he met the Risen Christ.
But most importantly Jesus Himself claims divinity. In one of the most dramatic moments in the gospels in John 8 the Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus about his identity and he said, “before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58). He claimed to have known Abraham who had died many centuries before. In addition, he called himself “I Am” which is how God the Father referred to himself when Moses asked God who he should tell the Jews sent him back in Exodus 3. This was a clear deity title which pointed to his eternal nature. In the immediate context the Jewish leaders picked up stones to kill Jesus for blasphemy, for claiming to be God.
One more example is when Jesus had a lame man brought to him. The first thing he did was forgive the man’s sins. This is an exclusive divine prerogative. The Jews reacted and Jesus said, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” (Matthew 9:5,6). He healed the man to prove that He had the authority to forgive the man’s sins. In essence, to show He could do what only God can do.
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, the fully divine Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who is currently sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Someday He will return and the splendor of His glory will be revealed! Let’s appreciate the real Jesus in the fullness of His identity.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church