The Incarnation: The Mystery and the Majesty A Note from the Pastors
Last Sunday marked the beginning of the Advent season. Traditionally, Advent is the start of the Church Year and a time of great hope and tension as we await the coming of Jesus on Christmas day. It’s a time of hope because we look with anticipation to the coming of our great King and Savior, Jesus Christ, who comes to conquer Satan, sin, and death, and to reconcile us to God the Father. It’s a time of tension because we understand that the reason for Christ’s coming is our deeply sinful and corrupted souls. We know the ending of the story, that this beautiful baby, God in flesh, will inevitably die a horrible death on the cross for our sins. As the theologian, John Stott, put it, “For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man.” It’s also a time of tension because though we know that Jesus came as a man and died in our place, the full redemption of the world has not yet happened. As Paul writes in Romans, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved” (8:22-24). The time is coming when the second Advent of Christ will happen, when Christ, this time in power and might, will come to establish the New Heavens and the New Earth. He will complete the work he began (Romans 8:28-30). In the coming months, the church seasons of Epiphany and Lent will come after Advent, culminated in Easter. As we look forward to those seasons, there will be plenty of time for inward reflection and penitence. Epiphany focuses on the coming of the Kingdom of God and our woeful inadequacy to bring it about in our own strength, and Lent is a time of reflection and repentance as we move towards Good Friday and reflect on Christ’s crucifixion, and the reason for it—our sin.
So, in this time of Advent, rejoice. Find joy in the anticipation and coming of Jesus. Enjoy the season with your family and use it as a time to teach your children about the real reason for the Christmas season. And take heart in the reality that while we did not deserve the salvation that comes from Jesus, he willingly came to become sin so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Over the next three weeks, we’ll be focusing on the Incarnation—the mystery of the eternal God becoming finite man, the wonder of divinity becoming humanity, the awe-inspiring concept that Jesus was both God and man at the same time, distinct in two different natures, yet one person. This is truly one of the most important and wonderful doctrines of the Church. Take the time to study deeply in preparation for Sunday sermons and gatherings. Go over the devotions with your family. Reflect daily and deeply on the implications of the creator coming to be among his creation to seek and save the lost. The Redemption Church Pastors
Incarnation: Theological Overview The following theological overview of the doctrine of the Incarnation is used with permission from Desiring God. The elders encourage you to read it in its entirety and to read it carefully and slowly, digesting the implications of such a wonderful mystery as the Incarnation. Equally amazing to the doctrine of the Trinity is the doctrine of the Incarnation—that Jesus Christ is God and man, yet one person, forever. As J.I. Packer has said: “Here are two mysteries for the price of one—the plurality of persons within the unity of God, and the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus. ...Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation,” writes contemporary theologian J.I. Packer.1 The early church considered the Incarnation to be one of the most important truths of our faith. Because of this, they formulated what has come to be called the Chalcedonean Creed, a statement which sets forth very what we are to believe and what we are not to believe about the Incarnation. This creed was the fruit of a large council that took place from October 8 to November 1, 451, in the city of Chalcedon and “has been taken as the standard, orthodox definition of the biblical teaching on the person of Christ since that day by” all the major branches of Christianity.2 There are five main truths with which the creed of Chalcedon summarized the biblical teaching on the Incarnation. 1. Jesus has two natures—He is God and man. 2. Each nature is full and complete—He is fully God and fully man. 3. Each nature remains distinct. 4. Christ is only one Person. 5. Things that are true of only one nature are nonetheless true of the Person of Christ.
A proper understanding of these truths clears up much confusion and many difficulties we may have in our mind. How can Jesus be both God and man? Why doesn’t this make Him two people? How does His Incarnation relate to the Trinity? How could Jesus have hungered (Matthew 4:2) and died (Mark 15:37) when He was on earth, and yet still be God? Did Jesus give up any of His divine attributes in the Incarnation? Why is it inaccurate to say that Jesus is a “part” of God? Is Jesus still human now, and does He still have His human body?
Jesus has two natures—God and man
The first truth we need to understand is that Jesus is one Person who has two natures a divine nature and a human nature. In other words, Jesus is both God and man. We will look at each nature accordingly.
Jesus is God
The Bible teaches that Jesus is not merely someone who is a lot like God, or someone who has a very close walk with God. Rather, Jesus is the Most High God Himself. Titus 2:13 says that as Christians we are “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” Upon seeing the resurrected Christ, Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Likewise, the book of Hebrews gives us God the Father’s direct testimony about Christ: “But of the Son He says, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever” and the gospel of John calls Jesus “the only begotten God” (John 1:18). Another way the Bible teaches that Jesus is God is by showing that He has all of the attributes of God. He knows everything (Mt 16:21; Luke 11:17; John 4:29), is everywhere (Matthew 18:20; 28:20; Acts 18:10), has all power (Mt 8:26, 27; 28:18; Jn 11:38-44; Lk 7:14-15; Revelation 1:8), depends on nothing outside of Himself for life (Jn 1:4; 14:6; 8:58), rules over everything (Mt 28:18; Rev 19:16; 1:5) never began to exist and never will cease to exist (John 1:1; 8:58), and is our Creator (Colossians 1:16). In other words, everything that God is, Jesus is. For Jesus is God.
Specifically, Jesus is God the Son
In order to have a more complete grasp of Christ’s incarnation, it is necessary to have some sort of understanding of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity states that God is one being, and this one God exists as three distinct Persons. This means, first of all, that we must
distinguish each Person of the Trinity from the other two. The Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit, the Son is not the Holy Spirit or the Father, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. They are each a distinct center of consciousness, a distinct form of personal existence. Yet, they all share the exact same divine nature/essence. Thus, the three persons are one being. The divine being/essence is not something that is divided between the Persons, each Person receiving one-third. Rather, the divine being is fully and equally possessed by all three Persons such that all three Persons are each fully and equally God. How does the fact that God is three Persons in one Being relate to the incarnation? To answer this, let’s consider another question. Which Person became incarnate in Jesus Christ? All three? Or just one? Which one? The Biblical answer is that only God the Son became incarnate. The Father did not become incarnate in Jesus, and neither did the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus is God, but He is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God the Son. The truth that it is only God the Son who became incarnate is taught, for example, in John 1:14, which says “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In context, the word is God the Son (cf. vv. 1, 18, and 3:16). Thus, it wasn’t the Father or the Holy Spirit who became man, but God the Son. Likewise, at Jesus’ baptism we see the Father affirming “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased” (Luke 3:22). He did not say, “You are me, and with myself I am well-pleased.” Rather, the Father affirmed that Jesus is the Son, His Son, and that Jesus is well-pleasing to Him. In this same verse we also see that the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, for the Holy Spirit is present in “bodily form like a dove.” Why is it important to know that Jesus is specifically God the Son? For one thing, if we do not understand this we will be mistaken about the very identity of our savior. Further, it greatly affects how we relate to our triune God. If we think that Jesus is the Father and/or the Holy Spirit, we will be greatly misguided and confused in our prayers. Last, it is considered heresy to believe that the Father became incarnate in Jesus.
Jesus is Man
It should be obvious that if Jesus is God, then He has always been God. There was a never a time when He became God, for God is eternal. But Jesus has not always been man. The fantastic miracle is that this eternal God became man at the Incarnation approximately 2,000 years ago. That’s what the Incarnation was--God the Son becoming man. And its this great even that we celebrate at Christmas. But what exactly do we mean when we say that God the Son became man? We certainly do not mean that He turned into a man, in the sense that He stopped being God and started being man. Jesus did not give up any of His divinity in the Incarnation, as is evident from the verses we saw earlier. Rather, as one early theologian put it, “Remaining what He was, He became what He was not.” Christ “was not now God minus some elements of His deity, but God plus all that He had made His own by taking manhood to Himself.”3 Thus, Jesus did not give up any of His divine attributes at the Incarnation. He remained in full possession of all of them. For if He were to ever give up any of His divine attributes, He would cease being God. The truth of Jesus’ humanity is just as important to hold to as the truth of His deity. The apostle John speaks strongly anyone that denying that Jesus is man is of the spirit of the anti-Christ (1 John 4:2; 2 John 7). Jesus’ humanity is displayed in the fact that He was born as a baby from a human mother (Luke 2:7; Galatians 4:4), that He became weary (John 4:6), thirsty (John 19:28), and hungry (Matthew 4:2), and that He experienced the full range of human emotions such as marvel (Matt. 8:10), weeping, and sorrow (John 11:35). He lived on earth just as we do.
Jesus is a Sinless Man
It is also essential to know that Christ does not have a sinful nature, and neither did He ever commit sin -- even though He was tempted in all ways (Hebrews 4:15). Thus, Jesus is fully and perfectly man, and has also experienced the full range of human experience. We have a Savior who can truly identify with us because He is man, and who can also truly help us in temptation because He has never sinned. This is an awesome truth to cherish, and sets Christianity apart from all other religions.
Each Nature is Full and Complete
Having seen the biblical basis that Jesus is both God and man, the second truth that we must recognize is that each of Christ’s natures is full and complete. In other words, Jesus is fully God and fully man. Another helpful way to say it is that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man.
Jesus is Fully God
We saw earlier that each Person of the Trinity is fully God. The three Persons of the Trinity are not each one-third of God, but are each all of God. Thus, Jesus is fully God since He is God the Son incarnate. This means that everything that is essential to being God is true of Jesus. Jesus is not part of God, or one-third of God. Rather, He is fully God. “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).
Jesus is Fully Man
It is also important to recognize that when we say that Jesus is man, we do not simply mean that He is partially man. We mean that He is fully human—everything that belongs to the essence of true humanity is true of Him. He is just as truly human as the rest of us. The fact that Jesus is truly and fully human is clear from the fact that He has a human body (Luke 24:39), a human mind (Luke 2:52), and a human soul (Matthew 26:38). Jesus does not just look like a man, He does not just have some aspects of what is essential for true humanity but not others, but possess full humanity. It is helpful to be aware of the false views concerning Christ. For if we have a grasp of what we are not to believe, it will give us a fuller picture of what we are to believe. One of the false views that was rejected at the council of Chalcedon taught that “the one person of Christ had a human body but not a human mind or spirit, and that the mind and spirit of Christ were from the divine nature of the Son of God.”4 Since this view did not believe that Jesus has a human mind and spirit, it in effect denied that Christ is fully and truly man. Rather, it presented Christ as a sort of half-man who has a human body, but whose human mind and soul were replaced by the divine nature. But as we saw earlier, Jesus is just as fully human as the rest of us, for just as He has all of the essential elements of Godhead, He has all the essential elements of
human nature a human body, a human soul, a human mind, a human will, and human emotions. His human mind was not replaced by His divine mind. Rather, He has both a human and divine mind. For these reasons, it can be misleading to use phrases such as “Jesus is God in a body” or “Jesus is God with skin on.”
Jesus will be Fully God and Fully Man Forever
For most people it is obvious that Jesus will be God forever. But for some reason it escapes a lot of us that Jesus will also be man forever. He is still man right now as you read this and will be forever. The Bible is clear that Jesus rose physically from the dead in the same body that had died (Luke 24:39) and then ascended into heaven as a man, in His physical body (Acts 1:9; Luke 24:50-51). It would make no sense for Him to have done this if He was simply going to ditch His body and stop being man when He arrived in heaven. That Christ continued being man, with a physical body, after His ascension is confirmed by the fact that when He returns, it will be as man, in His body. He will return physically. Philippians 3:21 says that at His Second Coming, Christ “will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” This verse is clear that Jesus still has His body. It is a glorified body, which Paul calls “the body of His glory.” And when Christ returns, He will still have it because this verse says that He will transform our bodies to be like His. Both Jesus and all Christians will then continue living together in their bodies forever, because the resurrection body cannot die (1 Corinthians 15:42) because it is eternal (2 Corinthians 5:1). Why did Jesus become man, and why will He be man forever? The book of Hebrews says that it was so that Christ could be an adequate Savior who has all that we need. “He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17). First, notice that Jesus became man so that He could die for our sins. He had to be human in order to pay the penalty for humans. Second, this verse says that because Jesus is human like us, He is able to be a merciful and faithful high priest. His humanity enables Him to more fully sympathize with us and identify with us. I cannot help but believe that it is very destructive to our comfort and faith to not know that Jesus is still man and in His body. For if He is not still man in heaven, how could we have comfort knowing that He can fully
sympathize with us? He can sympathize and be a faithful high priest and know what we are going through not just because He was once on earth as a man, but because He continues forever as that same man.
ignorant of anything. If any of the natures underwent a change in its essential nature, then Christ is no longer truly and fully human, or truly and fully divine.
Each Nature Remains Distinct
Christ is Only One Person
The truths of Christ’s two natures full manhood and full Godhood are pretty well understood and known by Christians. But for a right understanding of the Incarnation we must go even further. We must understand that the two natures of Christ remain distinct and retain their own properties. What does this mean? Two things: (1) They do not alter one another’s essential properties, and (2) neither do they mix together into a mysterious third kind of nature. First, it would be wrong to think that Christ’s two natures mix together to form a third kind of nature. This is one of the heresies that the early church had to fight. This heresy taught that “the human nature of Christ was taken up and absorbed into the divine nature, so that both natures were changed somewhat and a third kind of nature resulted. An analogy to [this] can be seen if we put a drop of ink in a glass of water: the mixture resulting is neither pure ink nor pure water, but some kind of third substance, a mixture of the two in which both the ink and the water are changed. Similarly, [this view] taught that Jesus was a mixture of divine and human elements in which both were somewhat modified to form one new nature.”5 This view is unbiblical because it demolishes both Christ’s deity and humanity. For if Christ’s two natures mixed together, then He is no longer truly and fully God and truly and fully man, but is some entirely different kind of being that resulted from a mixture of the two natures. Second, even if we acknowledge that the natures do not mix together into a third kind of nature, it would also be wrong to think that the two natures changed one another. For example, it would be wrong to conclude that Jesus’ human nature became divine in some ways, or that His divine nature became human in some ways. Rather, each nature remains distinct, and thereby retains its own individual properties and does not change. As the council of Chalcedon stated it, “...the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved...”6 Jesus’ human nature is human, and human only. His divine nature is divine, and divine only. For example, Jesus’ human nature did not become all knowing through its union with God the Son, and neither did His divine nature become
What we have seen so far about the deity and humanity of Christ shows us that Christ has two natures—a divine nature and a human nature—, that each nature is full and complete, that they remain distinct and do not mix together to form a third kind of nature, and that Christ will be both God and man forever. But if Christ has two natures, does this mean that He is also two people? No, it does not. Christ remains one person. There is only one Christ. The church has historically stated this truth in this way: Christ is two natures united in one person forever. At this point we find another heretical view to beware of. This view, while acknowledging that Jesus is fully God and fully man, denies that He is only one Person. According to this view, there are two separate persons in Christ as well as two natures. In contrast to this, the Bible is very clear that, while Jesus has two natures, He is only one Person. In other words, what this means is that there are not two Jesus Christ’s. In spite of the fact that He has a duality of natures, He is not two Christs, but One. While remaining distinct, the two natures are united together in such a way so as to be one Person. To put it simply, there is a certain sense in which Christ is two, and a different sense in which Christ is one. He is two in that He has two real, full natures one divine and one human. He is one in that, while remaining distinct, these two natures exist together in such a way as that they constitute “one thing.” In other words, the two natures are both the same Jesus, and thus are one Person. As the Chalcedonean creed says, Christ is “to be acknowledged in two natures...concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God, the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ...”
Evidence that Christ is Only One Person
We will look at three pieces of the biblical teaching that while Christ has two distinct and unchanged, He nonetheless remains one Person. 1. Both natures are represented in Scripture as constituting “one thing,” that is, as united in one Person. We read in John 1:14, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Here we see the two natures: the Word (His deity) and flesh (humanity). Yet we also see that there is one Person, for we read that the Word became flesh. “Became” requires that we acknowledge a unity of the two natures such that they are one thing--that is, one Person. For in what sense could John write that the word became flesh if they do not constitute one Person? It surely cannot mean “turned into” flesh, for that is against the Scriptural teaching on the distinctness of the natures. Additional Scriptures relating to this line of evidence are Romans 8:3, Galatians 4:4, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:11-14, 1 John 4:2,3. 2. Jesus never speaks of Himself as “We,” but always as “I” 3. Many passages refer to both natures of Christ, but it is clear that only one person is intended It is impossible to read the following passages, which clearly affirm Christ’s two natures, and yet conclude that Christ is two Persons. “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh...” (Romans 8:3). “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law...” (Galatians 4:4). “...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped [that is, exploited to His own advantage], but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). Having seen that Christ is two natures in one person, and having also seen what is involved in this, we will now examine one of the major implications of this, which should help us to complete the picture and our understanding.
Implication: Things that are true of one nature but not the other are nonetheless true of the Person of Christ As we have seen earlier, the fact that Christ is two natures means that there are things that are true of His human nature that are not true of His divine nature. And there are things true of His divine nature that are not true of His human nature. For example, His human nature hungered, but His divine nature could never be hungry. So when Christ hungered on earth, it was His humanity that hungered, not His divine nature. But the truth that we are now in a position to understand, is that by virtue of the union of the natures in one Person, the things that are true of and done by only one of Christ’s natures, are nonetheless true of and done by the Person of Christ. In other words, things which only one nature does can be considered to have been done by Christ Himself. Likewise, things that are true of one nature but not the other are true of the Person of Christ as a whole. What this means, in simple terms, is that if there is something that only one of Christ’s natures did, He can still say, “I did it.” We have many instances in Scripture which demonstrate this. For example, Jesus says in John 8:58, “...before Abraham was born, I am.” Now, Christ’s human nature did not exist before Abraham. It is Christ’s divine nature that eternally exists before Abraham. But since Christ is one Person, He could say that before Abraham was, He is. Another example is Christ’s death. God cannot die. We should never speak of Christ’s death as the death of God. But humans can die, and Jesus’ human nature did die. Thus, even though Jesus’ divine nature did not die, we can still say that the Person of Christ experienced death because of the union of the two natures in the one Person of Christ. Because of this, Grudem says, “by virtue of union with Jesus’ human nature, his divine nature somehow tasted something of what it was like to go through death. The person of Christ experienced death.”7 Have you ever wondered how Jesus could say that He did not know the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:36) even though He is omniscient (John 21:17). If Jesus is God, why didn’t He know the day of His return? This is solved by our understanding that Christ is one Person with two natures. The answer is that in regards to His human nature, Jesus does not have all knowledge. Thus, in His human nature He really did not know the day or hour of His return. But in His divine nature, He does have all knowledge and thus in His divine nature He did know when He would return.
Here comes the most fascinating part. Since the two natures are united in one Person, the fact that Christ’s human nature didn’t know when He would return means that the Person of Christ did not know when He would return. Thus, Jesus the Person could truly say, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36). At the same time, by virtue of His divine nature, we can also say that the Person of Christ did know when He would return. Knowledge and ignorance of the time of His return are both true of the Christ, but in different ways. In His human nature, the Person of Christ was ignorant of when He would return. In His divine nature, the Person of Christ did know when He would return. Thus, Christ Himself both knew and did not know when He would return. Conclusion We have seen the biblical evidence for the fact that Christ is God the Son, He has both a divine and human nature, that each nature is full and complete, that each nature remains distinct, that Christ is nonetheless one Person, and that things which are true of one nature are true of the Person.
Because Jesus is man, He has experienced the same things that we do. Because He is man, He can identify with us more intimately. Because He is man, He can come to our aid as our sympathetic High Priest when we reach the limits of our human weaknesses. Because He is man, we can relate to Him--He is not far off and uninvolved. Because He is man, we cannot complain that God does not know what we are going through. He experienced it first-hand. Finally, we need to be ready to defend the truth of Jesus’ deity, Jesus’ humanity, and their joining inconfusedly in one Person . Therefore, consider committing to memory many of the verses which teach that Jesus is both God and man, and be able to explain the relationship between Christ’s two natures to others. May we look forward to the day when we see Him face to face, and until then may the joyful hope of this day inspire in us a great diligence in serving and worshiping Him.
The relevance of these truths to us should go without saying. For they go to the very heart of who Christ is. Knowing these truths will greatly affect the way you view Christ and will make the gospel accounts of His life come more alive. As such, this understanding will deepen our devotion to Christ. Second, having this richer understanding of the Incarnation of God the Son should greatly enhance our worship. We will have great marvel and gladness at the fact that the eternal Person of God the Son became man forever. Our recognition of Christ’s worth will be heightened. And our faith in Him will be strengthened by having this deeper understanding of who He is. The union of Christ’s deity and humanity in one Person makes it such that we have all that we need in the same Savior. How glorious. Because Jesus is God, He is all-powerful and He cannot be defeated. Because He is God, He is the only adequate Savior. Because He is God, believers are safe and can never perish; we have security. Because He is God, we can have confidence that He will empower us for the task that He commands us for. And because He is God, all people will be accountable to Him when He returns to judge the world.
Notes 1 J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993 edition), p. 53. 2 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (InterVarsity and Zondervan Publishing, 1994), p. 556. 3 Packer, p. 57. 4 Grudem, p. 554. 5 Grudem, p. 556. 6 Chalcedonean Creed, quoted in Grudem, p. 557. 7 Grudem, p. 560.
Celebrating Advent By Dennis Bratcher CRI/Voice, Institute Copyright Š 2009 Advent is one of the few Christian festivals that can be observed in the home as well as at church. In its association with Christmas, Advent is a natural time to involve children in activities at home that directly connect with worship at church. In the home an Advent wreath is often placed on the dining table and the candles lighted at meals, with Scripture readings preceding the lighting of the candles, especially on Sunday. A new candle is lighted each Sunday during the four weeks, and then the same candles are lighted each meal during the week. In this context, it provides the opportunity for family devotion and prayer together, and helps teach the Faith to children, especially if they are involved in reading the daily Scriptures. It is common in many homes to try to mark the beginning of Advent in other ways as well, for the same purpose of instruction in the faith. Some families decorate the house for the beginning of Advent, or bake special cookies or treats, or simply begin to use table coverings for meals. An Advent Calendar is a way to keep children involved in the entire season. There are a wide variety of Advent calendars, but usually they are simply a card or poster with windows that can be opened, one each day of Advent, to reveal some symbol or picture associated with the Old Testament story leading up to the birth of Jesus. All of these provide opportunities to teach children the significance of this sacred time, and to remind ourselves of it as well. In congregational worship, the Advent wreath is the central teaching symbol of the season, the focal point for drawing the congregation into the beginning of the story of redemption that will unfold throughout the church year. For this reason, members of the congregation are often involved in lighting the Advent candles and reading the appropriate Scriptures each Sunday. While in some churches it is customary for this to be done by families, it can also be an especially good opportunity to demonstrate the unity of the entire community of Faith by including those without families, such as those never married, divorced, widowed, elderly who live by themselves, or college students away from home.
as on the day of Midian.For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. This week we’ll look at the Biblical basis of the Incarnation and see how the scriptures foretold the coming of Jesus in the flesh and how the scriptures are fulfilled in Christ’s incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection (Luke 24:44-49). It’s important to remember that the sacrifice of Jesus was not “plan B” for God (Acts 2:23). Rather it was the culmination of his redemptive plan that was revealed all the way back in Genesis (Genesis 3:15), fulfilled with the cross of Christ (Romans 3:21-26), and will be ultimately realized at the second Advent— Jesus’ second coming (Revelation 21).
Week One: Introduction
The Biblical Basis for the Incarnation “The most compelling reason for Christians to read and study the Old Testament lies in the New Testament. The New Testament witnesses to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is the One in whom all the promises of God find their fulfillment.” Graeme Goldsworthy Read: Isaiah 9:1-7 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken
The following chart is adapted from passages given in Mark Driscoll’s book, Vintage Jesus, and highlights the promises from the Old Testament foretelling the coming of Jesus and their fulfillment.
Summary God prophesies to Adam and Eve that the messiah would be born of a woman. (4,000 B.C.) God promises to Abraham that the Messiah would be from his lineage. (2,000 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that Jesus’ mother would be a virgin, would conceive by a miracle, and that Jesus would be God who became a man. (700 B.C.) Micah prophesies Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (700 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would live a sinless life. (700 B.C.) Hosea prophesies that Jesus’ family would flee as refugees to Egypt to save his young life. (700 B.C.) Malachi prophesies that Jesus would enter the temple. (400 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that John the Baptist would pave the way for Jesus. (700 B.C.)
Promise
Fulfillment
Genesis 3:15
Galatians 4:4
Genesis 12:3; 17:19; 49:10 & Numbers 24:17
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:1-2
Matthew 1:18-23
Micah 5:2
Luke 2:1-7
Isaiah 53:9
1 Peter 2:21-22
Hosea 11:1
Matthew 2:13-15
Malachi 3:1
Luke 2:25-27
Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:1-3
Summary Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would perform many miracles. (700 B.C.) Zechariah prophesies that Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. (500 B.C.) David prophesies that Jesus would be betrayed by a friend. (1000 B.C.) Zechariah prophesies that Jesus’ betraying friend would be paid thirty pieces of silver and would be thrown in the temple in disgust. (500 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would be beaten, would have his beard pulled out, and would be mocked and spit on. (700 B.C.) David prophecies that lots would be cast for Jesus’ clothes. (1000 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would be hated and rejected. (700 B.C.)
Promise
Fulfillment
Isaiah 35:5-6
Matthew 11:2-5
Zechariah 9:9
Luke 19:28, 35-38
Psalm 41:9
Matthew 26:49-50
Zechariah 11:12-13
Matthew 27:5-7
Isaiah 50:6
Matthew 26:67
Psalm 22:18
John 19:23-24
Isaiah 53:3
Matthew 27:39-44
Summary Isaiah prophesies that though hated and rejected, Jesus wouldn’t defend himself. (700 B.C.) David prophesies that Jesus would be crucified (hundreds of years before the invention of crucifixion). (1000 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies Jesus would be killed with sinners. (700 B.C.) Moses prophesies that none of Jesus’ bones would be broken. (1400 B.C.) David prophesies the same. (1000 B.C.) David prophesies that Jesus would be forsaken by God. (1000 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would die. (700 B.C.) Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would be buried in a tomb given to him by a rich man. (700 B.C.) David prophesies that Jesus would resurrect. (1000 B.C.) And Isaiah does the same. (700 B.C.)
Promise
Fulfillment
Isaiah 53:7
Matthew 27:12
Psalm 22:16
Luke 23:33
Isaiah 53:12
Matthew 27:38
Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20
John 19:32-36
Psalm 22:1
Matthew 24:46
Isaiah 53:8b
Luke 23:46
Isaiah 53:9
Matthew 27:57-60
Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10-11
Acts 2:25-32
Summary David prophesies that Jesus would ascend into heaven and take the souls of departed Christians with him. (1000 B.C.) David prophesies that Jesus would sit at the right hand of the Father. (1000 B.C.)
Promise
Fulfillment
Psalm 68:18
Ephesians 4:7-10
Psalm 110:1
Hebrews 1:3
Discussion
since the beginning of time and that Jesus was prophesied from the very beginning to come and rescue you.
The story found in the Old Testament spans thousands of years. If we know that God’s plan was to send a savior, why did he wait so long? Why didn’t God just send Jesus immediately after Adam and Eve sinned?
Tuesday - Galatians 3:7-9 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall the nations be blessed.’ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
What can we learn about God by the fact that the Old Testament all points to Jesus? If God had a plan to redeem all things at the very beginning through his Son, how would that fundamentally change the way you interact with God? With each other? With non-christians? With nature itself? Who in your life do you believe that God has a plan to redeem? How is he asking you to pursue those people? How can your community help? In the next year, what parts of your life would you like to see redeemed? How can your community take part in that process?
Advent Prayer Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and to forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Daily Family Devotions Monday - Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. Theologians call this passage of scripture the protoevangelium, or the first gospel. The protoevangelium is significant because it shows that even at the very moment of humanity’s fall, God had a plan for redemption. Today, think about your need for a savior, dwell on the sweet truth that God in his infinite mercy has planned to redeem you
If we needed any more proof of God’s redemptive intentions for his creation throughout the scriptures, Paul here presents it as crystal clear. The Scriptures “preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham.” Through Abraham’s lineage came Jesus, and all the nations are blessed because of it. Today, take comfort in the fact that God has blessed you through Abraham’s offspring and give thanks to God for his unfailing kindness toward you through Jesus Christ. Wednesday - Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. The name Immanuel means, “God with us.” How wonderful that hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus to a scared, young virgin named Mary, God would speak through Isaiah to proclaim the coming of God to be with us in the flesh. And how much more wonderful that today God is still with us. Christ is alive, living in bodily form (1Corinthians 15), and is with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20b). Thursday - Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his Kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. The Bible is filled with promises about the never-ending reign of Jesus. Often times we look at the world around us and allow the hurt and pain we see convince us that the word of scripture must be untrue. We think
that there is a disconnect between the hurt and pain we see and the fact that Jesus death and resurrection defeated Satan, sin, and death. Today, take heart in the fact that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Jesus will return, and his second Advent will bring peace to the world forevermore. “Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). Friday - Isaiah 53:9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Jesus was a sinless man. Think about the implications of that. Yet, we also know that, as a man, Jesus was tempted just as we were—yet without sin (1 Peter 2:22-23). Today, meditate on the amazing truth that the infinite and divine God of the universe would humble himself to take on finite flesh and humanity for your sake. Also, take comfort in the fact that through his sacrifice, you are free from sin and that he is our perfect high priest. “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18). Saturday - Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. I hate to ruin the ending for you, but Jesus dies. He dies for you and for me, for our transgressions and our iniquities. Today, you have peace because Jesus suffered the wrath of God in your place. That should both strike you to the core and cause you to be filled overflowing with joy inexpressible. Today, meditate on the truth that Jesus came down as a baby on Christmas so that he could be crucified for you on Good Friday, and take joy in the victory that he secured for you. Also, take joy in the fact that Jesus resurrects! Death was defeated and he lives forever seated at the right hand of God and as our victorious King.
Week Two: Introduction
The Incarnational Example of Jesus
“A life of self-sacrificing unselfishness is the most divinely beautiful life that man can lead.” - B.B. Warfield
Read: Philippians 2:4-8
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Having this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. This week’s sermon centered on the example of Jesus for us. There are many things we can learn from the life of Jesus. We can learn how to love the other by the way he interacted with those who were considered the scum of society. We can learn how to suffer well by the way in which he humbly went to the cross. We can learn how to lead by seeing he became a servant of all. Every facet of human life can be and should be brought under the example of Jesus. In fact, following the example of Jesus is one of the most important ideas in Christian life. As B.B. Warfield puts it, “‘Christ our Example.’ After ‘Christ our Redeemer,’ no words can more deeply stir the Christian heart than these...In Him, in a word, we find the moral ideal historically realized, and we bow before it as sublime and yearn after it with all the assembled desires of our renewed souls.” At the heart of Christ’s example is that of self-sacrifice. From this well springs forth all the characteristics we see perfectly exemplified in Jesus. As Paul says, Jesus “though he was in the form of God,” laid aside that glory to empty himself out for the sake of men, even to the point of death. There is no limit to the self-sacrifice Jesus exemplified to seek and save the lost. He suffered humiliation, torture, betrayal, hunger, temptation, loss, and more because of his love for us. Even more amazing, he faced death, was crucified, and suffered the worst fate of all—being forsaken by the Father (Matthew 27:46)—all for you. Jesus’ self-sacrifice was not self-serving. It wasn’t some form of aestheticism. Rather, it was a self-sacrifice for the sake of others. It was from Jesus’ self-sacrifice, beginning with his incarnation and ending in
his crucifixion, that made the way he loved and lived so amazingly perfect and our perfect example. As the Church, we are Christ’s body. In a very real sense, we continue the Incarnation of Jesus in the world by living out his example. Paul admonishes us to “have this mind among [ourselves]”, that is the mind of Jesus to lower ourselves to exalt others, to empty ourselves so that others may be filled, to lay down our life for others so that they may live. Think on the implications of this. It’s no small task but rather a weight of responsibility that can only be fulfilled by the power of the Holy Spirit. This week, as you go about your life, intentionally look for ways in which you can be self-sacrificing for the sake of others. Seek the Lord and give to him all your selfish desires and ambition. Ask him to replace them with his heart and to empower you by the Holy Spirit to live a life worthy of your calling, a life that exemplifies Jesus.
Discussion Jesus’ example for life is often difficult to live up to. What should we do when we fall short of his example? What motivates us to model our life after Jesus? How do we not “burn out?” Does it feel like a burden or a joy to model your life after Jesus? Why do you think and feel the way you do? What are some things that Jesus did that you would find personally difficult to emulate? Where can you find the strength and power to do things that may go against your “grain?” Jesus said, “as the father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). How did the father “send” Jesus and what does this mean for our lives? What are some areas in your life that are submitted to Jesus and modeled after his life? How could you begin to disciple others in your strengths?
Advent Prayer Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Daily Family Devotions Philippians 2:4-11
Monday - Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. We live in a culture that is inherently self-serving. But it’s not the culture that creates this condition in the human heart. Rather it’s our sinful and corrupt human heart that creates a self-serving culture. To be clear, we are to look after our own interests, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests.” But we must also look after the interest of others as we would look after our own (Matthew 22:34-40). Today, pray that God would enable you by his Holy Spirit to look after and love others as well as you do yourself. Tuesday - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped Jesus was in the form of God, meaning he had all the attributes, powers, and characteristics that make God who he is. Yet, despite his position, he was willing to give up his equality with the Father to humble himself and become a man. Paul here admonishes us to have the same “mind” as Jesus. No matter who we are, what position we’ve attained, and how important we are, we should never hold onto our status but rather look for ways to humble ourselves for the sake of others. Today, spend some time in prayer asking God to show you where you don’t share the mind of Christ and instead cling to your status. Ask him to make you more like him, to help you walk in humility towards others.
Wednesday - but he made himself nothing, taking on the form a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Tuesday, we meditated on how Jesus was in the form of God, meaning he was God. Today’s meditation reminds us that despite the fact that he was God, Jesus also became man, taking on the form of a servant. By making himself nothing, that is, bringing himself low and becoming a man, Jesus exhibited the heart of a true servant. The very God of the universe, worthy of eternal glory and majesty, became man and made himself the servant of all. Today, meditate on Christ’s example and examine where you are living for yourself rather than others. Ask God to help you become a servant to all. Thursday - And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Many times we’ll self-sacrifice only to a point. We say, “That’s too far.” “I can’t let them step all over me.” And other such phrases. Yet, when we ask ourselves, how far was too far for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the answer becomes humbling. Jesus humbled himself to the point of death. And not just any death, but one of the most horrible forms of death—the cross. Today, ponder the immensity of Christ’s humility in coming down as God to become man and then allowing himself to be killed by his own creation. Examine in your heart where you feel taken advantage of and give those feelings to Jesus, asking in exchange to humbly serve all regardless of response. Friday - Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Today, rejoice in the fact that Jesus is alive and well; that because of his humility, he is exalted by God to the highest position. Take heart in the fact that God does not turn a blind eye to humility and suffering. The highest calling of man is to be self-sacrificing. And God does exalt the humble, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Saturday - so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Many times when we sacrifice our rights and privileges for others, Satan would want us to feel self-righteous or proud. When this happens, our self-sacrifice ironically becomes self-serving! In following the example of Christ, our goal should always be to bring others to him. He alone is worthy of worship and praise. He alone is the reason we can do good works. He alone can save. Today, pray that God would so use you to glorify him, and that by your humility and sacrifice people would come to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Week Three: Introduction The Mystery of the Incarnation
“Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ouselves without despair� - Blaise Pascal
Read: Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross. This week we finish up our study of the Incarnation by looking at the truth that Jesus is both God and man, having two distinct natures yet being one person. Theologians call this the hypostatic union, which was articulated in 451 A.D. by church fathers in the Chancedonian Creed. We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body; consubstantial [co-essential] with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.
Traditionally in the Church, there has been a tendency to focus either on the human nature of Jesus or the divine nature of Jesus. But each nature is true and as essential to the person of Jesus as the other. Here we have a great mystery. How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time without being two different persons? Humanly, we cannot know. Yet, the scriptures teach the truth of the hypostatic union of Jesus.
Advent Prayer
Practically, the truth of the Incarnation and nature of Jesus, should fill us with awe and wonder. What a beautiful thought that Jesus, in whom “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell”, would come down to be a man, to live among his creation, to serve his creation, and to die for his creation. Even more amazing is that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s great plan of salvation. As Paul writes, all things are reconciled to God through Jesus death on the cross (Colossians 1:20-22).
Daily Family Devotions
This week, meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation, celebrate with joy the coming of our Savior as a baby boy on Christmas day, and look with continued hope and joy to the second Advent of Jesus to ultimately complete the redemption of all creation. We also encourage you to go back and read through the Theological Overview of the Incarnation offered towards the front of this study guide. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Discussion Why is it important that Jesus was and is fully human? Why is it important that Jesus is fully God? What are somethings that you wonder about Jesus as a human being? How can Jesus claim that he was tempted as we were if he was God? How was Jesus able to be temped while remaining sinless? How can you differentiate between a temptation to sin and an actual sin? What are some further questions that you want to pursue in your own studies regarding the incarnation?
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Monday - Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, brining salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Here we see the already, not yet concept of salvation. Paul tells us “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people”. Yet, we are still being trained to live “godly lives in the present age”. And, we are “waiting for our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”. Today, rejoice in the tension that you have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved thanks to the work of our God and Savior, Jesus. Put aside frustration with your present shortcomings and take joy that the grace of God is working in you to perfect you. Tuesday - John 20:26-28 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas is often called doubting Thomas. But the Church should be thankful for a man who was willing to search out answers to his questions. The amazing thing about the Incarnation is that God took on the form of man—and that to this day and for eternity, he is a man. Thomas’ cry, “My Lord and my God!” gives testimony to the divinity of Jesus, and Jesus call to Thomas to feel his very flesh and blood gives testimony to
the humanity of Jesus. How wonderful to know that God is a high priest who knows what it means to be human (Hebrews 4:14-16). Today, rejoice in the fact that God not only loves you but also knows what it means to be you—yet without sin. Draw your strength from him and follow his example to be fully human, by the power of his Holy Spirit. Wednesday - John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. Many people ask, “How can I know God?” Here the scriptures are clear. To know Jesus is to know God. It is Jesus alone, the Word of God, who makes the Father known to us. Today, get to know your God better by getting to know Jesus. Spend some time studying the gospels and ask God to help you glorify him by following the example of Jesus. Thursday - Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. In Jesus we have a person who is truly human. He was born of a woman and born under the law. Yet, unlike fallen humanity, Jesus lived a perfect life as the Son, sent from the Father to fulfill his redemptive plan. By Christ’s death and resurrection, we now are becoming fully human by the work of the Holy Spirit. As such, we are adopted as sons of God. Today, take joy in the fact that you are no longer an enemy of God, but instead you’re a son of God being made more like Jesus everyday. Friday - John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Jesus is the Word. Here John famously proclaims that as the Word, Jesus is God, and Jesus is with God. Coupled with the mystery of the Incarnation is the mystery of the Trinity: God is one in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While we cannot fully comprehend the Trinity in our human minds, the Bible teaches it as truth. And what a wonderful truth to know that God is infinitely more complex than we could ever imagine. Today, understand that you were made through Jesus, the Word of God, and that you are his. Today,
on Christmas Eve, pray that God would allow you to rest in the mystery of the Incarnation and the Trinity and to have peace in the beauty of his inexpressible complexity—knowing that tomorrow morning we celebrate this great God coming down to humble himself and become a man. Saturday - John 1:14 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. Merry Christmas! As we finish out our Advent series, once again reflect upon the awesome news that the God of all the universe, the infinite creator, the all powerful, all knowing, King of creation, came down in the flesh, as a baby boy, destined to die for you and me. Today, we celebrate the coming of our God in a dirty manger in the tiny town of Bethlehem. Thank God that he did. And thank God that full of grace and truth, Jesus sealed for us our salvation. Give praise to Christ our King.
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