THE WORD BECAME FLESH – John 1:14

Bible sermon, Incarnation of Jesus Christ, Jesus' birth, tabernacles, Uncategorized

I. HE BECAME FLESH

John chapter 1, verse 14, is one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring verses in the Bible. It reveals a mystery that we can’t comprehend with our finite minds. The apostle John has been saying that the “Logos”, the “Word”, used by the Greeks to describe the force that created the universe and holds it together, is actually the Creator-God. Now he is saying, in verse 14, that this Creator-God “became flesh”. The verb is in the aorist tense, signifying an action that took place at a point in time. By “becoming flesh” the Word became something that He previously was not. He not only assumed a human body, but took on the whole nature of man: body, soul, and spirit. He took on our limitations. Romans 8:3 says that He took on “the likeness of sinful flesh”, but “He knew no sin” (II Corinthians 5:21). Martin Luther said of Jesus, “He sunk Himself into human flesh”. That’s a long way to sink!

In his book entitled “Miracles”, British author C.S. Lewis uses several illustrations to try to depict the incarnation of Jesus Christ. His illustration of the diver is somewhat similar to the previous statement made by Martin Luther.

“Or one may think of a diver, first reducing himself to nakedness, then glancing in mid-air, then gone with a splash, vanished, rushing downward through green and warm water into black and cold water, down through increasing pressure into the death-like region of ooze and slime and old decay; then up again, back to color and light, his lungs almost bursting, till suddenly he breaks the surface again, holding in his hand the dripping precious thing that he went down to recover. He and it are both colored now that they have come up into the light; down below, where it lay colorless in the dark, he lost his color too.”

As we consider the incarnation, let’s be reminded that Jesus Christ was not a created being. He is the Creator, but He chose to become part of His creation at a specific place and time in human history. His essence, divine nature, and oneness with the Father and the Holy Spirit did not change. We cannot understand how this can be, but we can accept it by faith.

One of the early church fathers, Augustine of Hippo, expressed his amazement. He said that in his pre-Christian days he had read and studied the great pagan philosophers and had read many things, but he had never read that the word became flesh. To the Greeks that was impossible and ridiculous.

II. HE DWELT AMONG US

Here in verse 14, John describes Christ’s incarnation in three words, in contrast to the 2500 words used by the Gospel writer Luke. He “dwelt among us”. The Greek word translated “dwell” is “eskenosen”, which means “to pitch a tent”. He “tabernacled among us” is another way to put it. The tabernacle in the Old Testament was made of plain white linen. The glory of the tabernacle was hidden inside. There was no beauty in its outward appearance. So too, the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ was a hidden glory. When He came to pitch his tent among us, He did not lay aside His deity, but He did veil His glory.

The tabernacle in the Old Testament was only a temporary dwelling place. It was used while the people of Israel were journeying in the wilderness and until the temple of Solomon was built (Exodus 24:8; 40:34-35; I Kings 8:10-12). It’s interesting to note that the people of Israel used the tabernacle in the wilderness for a little less than 35 years, the approximate lifetime of the Lord Jesus on this earth.

III. WE BEHELD HIS GLORY

Years ago an old pioneer journeyed westward across the Great Plains of North America until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He gawked at the sight before him – a vast chasm 1 mile deep, 18 miles across, and stretching out of sight. He gasped, “Something must have happened here!” (Our Daily Bread, 12/22/02)

Something even more amazing happened when the Creator-God came to His earth in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures declare it and changed lives continue to provide evidence for His birth, life, death, and resurrection.

John says, “we beheld His glory”. This may bring to your minds the Shekinah glory that filled the tabernacle in the wilderness. When the pillar of cloud that guided them by day would begin to settle down, there the sons of Israel would camp. Once the tabernacle was set up, the cloud would settle over the tabernacle (Numbers 9). Exodus chapter 40 describes the glory of the Lord. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. . . . For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.”

The apostle John knew this information since childhood, having grown up in a Jewish home. But John and the other disciples had the privilege of witnessing this glory in the Person of Jesus Christ for about three years. “The Word” was not an abstract concept but a real Person. John begins his first epistle with these words: “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have beheld and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life.”

John, Peter, and James were with Jesus when He was transfigured before them. His garments became dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appeared alongside Him and were talking to Him (Mt. 17; Mk. 9). What a spectacle that must have been! But John is writing here about the inner glory that he saw in the Lord Jesus.

John was the “beloved disciple”, the one who knew Jesus so intimately. He describes Jesus as One who was “full of grace and truth”. This is a Hebrew expression for the fullness of the revelation of God. “Grace” reveals God as love; “truth” reveals God as light.

The words “grace and truth” would probably bring to the minds of his Jewish readers two passages of Scripture from the book of Exodus. One of them is in Exodus 33, and the other in chapter 34. God tells Moses once again to make two stone tablets and meet with Him again on Mount Sinai. Moses makes this request of God in Exodus 33:18: “I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!” In responding to Moses, God first describes Himself to Moses. Then He responds to Moses’ request and describes Himself more fully. I think you will gain a greater understanding of the meaning of grace as a result of reflecting upon God’s description of Himself. This is what God says in Exodus 33:19 and in 34:6: “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you, and I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion. , , , Then the Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.’ “

I believe that the Lord Jesus demonstrated those qualities of God in His character and His actions while He was here on this earth. I also believe that the apostle John is purposely using the words “full of grace and truth” to connect his description of Christ in his Gospel with God’s description of Himself in the Old Testament Scriptures. The best Person to give an accurate description of God is God Himself, and He has been gracious enough to do so through various means.

In the next passage of Scripture, verses 15-18, John will be elaborating on the words of verse 14 more fully. In the meantime, I’ve been reading and re-reading a poem written by Marv and Marbeth Rosenthal entitled: “Mary Had The Little Lamb”. It briefly describes the Person, life and ministry of Jesus Christ from beginning to end. If you’ve never read this poem before, I encourage you to read it several times. If you are familiar with the poem, please read it again. Here it is:

Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth
Self-existent Son of God, from heaven He came to earth.
Micah 5:2

Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall–
Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall.
Isaiah 7:14

Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God;
Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod.
John 6;38

Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree,
The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free.
I Peter 1:18-19

Mary had the little Lamb — men placed Him in the grave,
Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave!
Matthew 28:6

Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He,
All work on earth is ended, our Advocate is He.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Mary had the little Lamb — mystery to behold!
From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold.
Revelation 5:5,6

When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure,
It won’t be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion’s roar.
Psalm 2:12
Revelation 19:11-16

May you experience the meaning of the grace and truth that are in Christ Jesus; and may you experience the joy and peace that come as a result of knowing Him personally, depending upon Him completely, and giving Him all the glory.

THE REMOVAL AND BURIAL OF JESUS – John 19:31-42

Bible sermon, Bible sermons, burial of Jesus, crucifixion, death, Jesus' birth, New Testament sermon, Uncategorized

INTRODUCTION:

When the Lord Jesus came into this world as an infant, there were also miraculous signs that accompanied His birth. Luke 2 tells us of the angel who suddenly appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. After the angel made the announcement of the Savior’s birth, a whole multitude of angels appeared in the sky singing, “Glory to God in the highest . . . “. Then there was a star that pointed the way for the Magi from the East to find Jesus.

Jesus’ death was also followed by some amazing events. Matthew 27 tells us that immediately after Jesus said “It is finished!”, the earth shook and the rocks were split apart. Also, tombs opened up and bodies of the saints were raised and entered the holy city of Jerusalem. When the centurion who was guarding Jesus saw these things happening, he said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”. The Lord Jesus revealed His deity to a few people both at His birth and at His death.

I. REMOVAL FROM THE CROSS (verses 31-37)

As we read in verse 31, the Jewish leaders asked Pilate that the legs of those crucified should be broken so that they would soon die, and then could be taken off their crosses before the Passover Sabbath began. Breaking their legs would result in a quick death because the crucified person would no longer be able to lift himself up to exhale, and would soon die from asphyxiation.

Pilate granted their request, and the soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves, but they didn’t break Jesus’ legs because they could see that He was already dead. So in verse 34 it says that “one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear”. The middle of the spear’s head was a hand-breadth wide. Out of Jesus’ side flowed blood and water. It’s believed that the sword pierced the membrane surrounded the heart, and the serum with clots of blood in it was proof that Jesus had already died.

These events fulfilled two Old Testament prophesies. The first was the instructions for cooking and eating the Passover lamb. Exodus, chapter 12, says that as you eat the lamb, you are not to break any bone of it. This command not to break any of the bones of the Passover lamb is repeated in Numbers 9:12 as they celebrate this feast day each year. Secondly, the piercing of Jesus’ side fulfills the prophesy in Zechariah 12:10, which is quoted here in verse 37: “They shall look on Him whom they pierced”.

II. THE BURIAL (verses 38-42)

The Romans had made an exception by taking Jesus and the two thieves down from the cross. Normally the Romans left those who were crucified on their crosses until their flesh was eaten by birds of prey. Guards kept watch over the bodies in order to keep friends and family members from taking them away. But Pilate made an exception in this case.

Up until now, Joseph of Arimathea had been a secret believer for fear of the Jews. Now, in verse 38, he boldly comes forward to claim the Lord’s body for burial. Why did Pilate hand over the body of Jesus to Joseph? Joseph wasn’t even related to Jesus, and that was against Roman law. Perhaps it was because Pilate was convinced that Jesus wasn’t guilty.

In verse 39 Nicodemus joins Joseph, bringing with him a hundred pounds of spices. Why so great an amount of spices to prepare one man’s body for burial? That’s’ enough spices for a king’s burial! That’s exactly what they wanted to do for Jesus – give Him a king’s burial! The spices were probably in a powdered form, or a paste. They put some of the spices directly on Jesus’ body, wound strips of linen cloth around His body from His feet to His shoulders, and put more spices between each layer of cloth.

Verse 41 says that “in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb.” Matthew 27 tells us that it was Joseph’s new tomb, which he had hewn in a rock. This hill called “Golgotha”, on the edge of town was considered a God-forsaken place. No expensive tombs were constructed by the Jews in this area. Most wealthy Jews had burial places on the property where they lived. It’s very possible that when Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, Joseph of Arimathea hurriedly bought that piece of land in the garden and hired a crew of laborers to cut that tomb in the rock so that Jesus could be buried there. There wasn’t time to take the body of Jesus very far because it was almost time to prepare for the Passover meal. Matthew 27 tells us that they rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb after they put Jesus inside, and the chief priests and Pharisees put a guard there. They didn’t believe Jesus’ prophesy that He would rise from the dead in three days, but they wanted to make sure no one could steal the body and start a rumor that Jesus rose from the dead.

As you’ve read this sermon, have the events surrounding the death and burial of Christ made an impression on you? The centurion who observed these events was amazed and afraid, and his attitude toward Jesus Christ changed.

ILLUSTRATION: One day two non-Christians were riding along on a railroad train discussing Christ’s wonderful life. One of them said, “I think an interesting romance could be written about Him”. The other man replied, “Yes, and you are just the man to do it, setting forth the correct views of His life and character. I advise you to tear down the idea of His divine nature, and paint Him and He was – just a man living among men.” The recommendation was acted upon and the novel was written. The man who made the suggestion was Colonel Ingersoll, and the author was General Lew Wallace. The book was entitled “Ben Hur”. I imagine that many of you have read the book or seen the movie.

In the process of writing that book, Wallace learned some amazing truths. The more he studied Jesus’ life and character, the more he become convinced that Jesus was more than just a great teacher. Like the centurion in Matthew’s Gospel, he became persuaded that “Truly, this was the Son of God”! I pray that you might also reach that conclusion, act upon it, and enjoy the privileges of being a “child of God”.

CHRISTMAS – Why Is It Significant?

Bible sermons, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas joy, Jesus' birth, Joy, Joy on Christmas Day, meaning of Christmas, New Testament sermon, Uncategorized

INTRODUCTION:

After the first American astronaut landed on the moon, the President of the United States praised this wonder of modern science. He said, “The planting of human feet on the moon is the greatest moment in human history!” Later, evangelist Billy Graham made this comment: “With all due respect”, he said, “the greatest moment in human history was not when man set foot on the moon, but when the infinite and eternal God set foot on this earth in Jesus of Nazareth!” Just how significant is the birth of Jesus Christ in our world today?

I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH

The year is 2021 A.D., isn’t it? As you probably know, the letters A.D. are an abbreviation for two Latin words: “anno Domini”, a phrase which means “in the year of the Lord”. Events prior to Jesus’ birth are dated B.C., that is, “before Christ”. Everything in history is dated from the time when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. Every newspaper and magazine, every official document gives testimony to Christ’s birth.

II. THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HIS BIRTH (Luke 2:1-20)

Yet when we look at the circumstances surrounding His birth, we see poverty and humility. But from these circumstances, and the symbolism in them, we can gain valuable insight into why the Lord Jesus was born. Let’s take a closer look at this passage of Scripture: Luke chapter 2, verses one to twenty.

In verses 1 to 6, we read that Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken of the whole Roman empire. Joseph and Mary were forced to make an eighty-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem because they belonged to the descendants of David. Caesar didn’t know it, but he was doing an errand for God so that Micah’s prophecy in Micah 5:2 would be fulfilled. The Savior of the world was to be born in the city of Bethlehem.

In verse 7, Mary brought forth her child alone. There was no midwife; there were no friends and no family, except her husband, Joseph. Similarly, at the end of Jesus’ life, as He hung dying on a cross, there was only a handful of His family and friends close to him. Verse 7 also says, “they wrapped Him in cloths. The Greek word literally means “to swaddle” or to wrap in strips of cloth. This was often the way dead bodies were wrapped in preparation for burial.

Verse 7 also says that they laid the newborn baby Jesus in a manger – a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was born in a stable, a place for sheep and cattle. There were probably many lambs under the same roof as the baby Jesus. This is significant because, before Jesus began his public ministry, John the Baptist said of Him, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

From verses 8-20, we learn that the only other people to see the newborn baby Jesus were the shepherds. And these were no ordinary shepherds. The Jewish book of legal codes, called the “Mishnah”, prohibited the tending of flocks of sheep throughout the land of Israel, except in the wilderness areas, because sheep were unclean animals. The only exception was the flocks used for the temple sacrifices. These sheep were killed and offered up as sacrifices for the sins of the people.

III. WHY WAS JESUS CHRIST BORN

Why was Jesus Christ born? What is the true meaning of Christmas? I found out the answer to that question in 1970. Have you ever had a miserable Christmas? Well, Christmas of 1970 had all the indications of being the worst Christmas I would ever experience. It was Christmas eve, and I was in the Air Force, stationed at a remote base in northern Thailand. I was away from my family and friends, and there was no “Christmas spirit” in me. I was on a bus headed into town to attend a Bible study at the Christian Servicemen’s Center. I had been going there for several weeks, hoping to find some answers to life. The director of the center must have noticed my despondency because he asked me if I would mind staying for a while after the Bible study. He said he had something he wanted to talk to me about. I had nothing else going on that evening so I agreed.

He began by asking me this question: “If you died tonight, and you stood before God in judgment, and God said, ‘Tom, give me one reason why I should let you into My heaven’, what would you say?” I don’t remember what the Bible study was about that night, nor who was there, but I do remember the joy and peace I experienced when I invited Jesus Christ to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. I also remember smiling as I rode back to the base on the 10:00 p.m. bus. I was probably the only serviceman who was smiling and who wasn’t drunk! On Christmas Day I had no Christmas tree and no presents, but I had more joy than I had ever experienced. I spent most of Christmas Day reading the New Testament Scriptures. It was a new book to me because I was now a child of God. If you want to know more about what I learned, and what happened to me that night, it’s all in the ABOUT PAGE of this blog.

The real joy of Christmas comes when we discover the true meaning of Christmas. Why did Jesus Christ come to earth? Let’s allow Jesus to answer that question for Himself. In Mark 10:45 Jesus says, “For the Son of man also came, not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I came that you may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” In the midst of shopping for presents, sending cards, and putting up decorations, is there room in your heart for Jesus?