Freiday Devotional

John 1:14a: "And the Word became flesh..."

This is a familiar passage to most, if not all of us. However, have you ever really sat back and just thought about what that statement means? Did you realize that this statement, as simple as it is, is chalked-full of meaning?

Take, for example, the term "Word." What do you think of when you see that term? Do you think of Jesus Christ as the true God-man? Or are you like Arius (ca. A.D. 250-335), who thought that Jesus was a creature--the first created being of the universe? Be careful, for if you agree with Arius, you are treading into heresy. For Arius and his teachings were condemned at the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325). As John 1:1 asserts, the Word is divine. Therefore, it had no beginning; it always existed.

Now proceed to the following word, "became." What do you make of this term? Do you agree with Apollinarius, another heretic, that Jesus merely indwelt a human body (kind of like an astronaut in a space-suit)? Or perhaps, you follow in line the with Docetists, who believed Jesus only appeared to be human (another heresy!)? The term "became" denotes a change in the subject that it was not before. Therefore, Jesus, being fully God, changed into a human, which He was not before. He left what was truly His, to become truly like we are, except without sin.

And as for the word "flesh," what do you think of? Do you think that the divine Logos and human flesh retained their separate identities as the Nestorians (more heretics) believed? Or do you agree with Chalcedon that the flesh and divine were combined into one person, Jesus Christ? Flesh does not just denote the outer layer of skin, but here it gathers together all that a person is; it consists of the meatiness, soul, and reason of a person. Therefore, Jesus was truly human, as much as, you and I are.

By these three words, John was able to describe the incarnation succinctly. But the question still remains: What are you going to believe? Are you going to believe as the heretics? Or are you going to see Jesus for who he really is--the God-man?

Prayer: Holy Father, thank you for the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. For by becoming like we are, He was able to experience all that we experience as humans, yet He did not sin. Father, help us to be like Christ. Help us to be human, and to live as humans free from the bondage of sin. We thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross, that we may have life eternally. Now, help us to live in that life, refreshed and renewed, and able to love You and neighbor more completely. In Jesus name, and by the Spirit, we pray. Amen.