“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.” John 1:14
In the opening chapter of John, we are told about this Word who is God that became flesh and dwelt among us. We know this is referring to Jesus himself. Knowing this to be true, I want to ask you a question. Have you ever stopped to think why was it necessary for Jesus to come in the flesh? Why did the God who created the heavens and the earth have to take on human form? I am going to present to you seven reasons which I believe will help to answer this question.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Reveal the Father
“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” John 17:25-26
One of the important things that Jesus did was reveal the character of the Father. Among the things he revealed about the Father was his great love and compassion. You should note that before Christ came the idea of seeing God as Father was not a very prominent teaching. In Old Testament times they understood and related to God as almighty, all-powerful, and holy. When Jesus came, he presented and revealed God as Father. This was a paradigm shift. By doing this Jesus introduced God in a way that would reveal how we would relate to him moving forward. He would be our Father, and we would be his children.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Be Our Example
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15
Jesus spent approximately 33 years on this earth. He came into this world the same way we did through birth. He grew up as a child, into a teenager, then an adult. He went into ministry and eventually to death and resurrection. All along the way, he was setting an example for you and I to follow. He showed us how to pray, how to live, how to interact with those who are against you. How to teach. How to love. How to show compassion. In short, he demonstrated everything we needed to see in order to know how to live this life. If you remember a few years ago everyone was wearing WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) wristbands. The reason we could ask that question is because he showed us what to do. He was our greatest example.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Break the Curse
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” Galatians 3:13
To break the curse of sin it would require God to step into humanity. It would require Christ to become a curse to redeem us from the curse. Another way of thinking about it is that God couldn’t conquer our sin from the outside. It had to be an inside job. To accomplish this feat, Jesus took on human flesh and became like us so that in turn he could win us back.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Fulfill the Requirements of the Law
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17
Someone had to fulfill the requirements of the law or the penalty of the law would still be in effect. In order for the requirements to be met completely, it necessitated someone to fulfill every requirement to perfection including the penalties that the law demands. Every sin had to be paid for or atoned for. No sin escapes this requirement.
By fulfilling the requirements of the law Jesus not only lived up to the standards and completed them, he ultimately became the required sacrifice that the law demands. He fulfilled the requirements of the law that you and I couldn’t and paid the penalty for our sin so you and I wouldn’t have to. This could only happen if Jesus came in the flesh. By the way, if you are reading this and you have not put your trust in Jesus as Savior, then you are still under the requirements of the law meaning there will be a penalty to pay for your sin.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Shed His Blood
“So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” Hebrews 9:11-14 (NLT)
“In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22 (NLT)
One of the great reasons it was necessary for Jesus to become flesh is because he had to shed blood. The law requires that cleansing can only happen with the shedding of blood. There would be no way for Jesus to do this unless he took on human flesh. The good news about the blood he shed is that it once and for all met the requirement of the law. There is no longer any blood needed because Jesus has forever won our redemption through his precious blood. It reminds me of the words to this wonderful song.
O Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Thank God for this precious blood that is still paying for salvation to this day because this blood has never lost its power.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Carry Our Sin and Iniquities
“He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (AMP)
According to God’s law sin has to be atoned for. In the Old Testament, it was the blood of animals that were sacrificed on an altar that made atonement. While that was good for a temporary atonement that had no lasting eternal effect. What would be required was a greater sacrifice which is what Christ became and why Christ had to take on human form. There was no other way he could carry our sins.
'And the Word Became Flesh' To Truly Become Our High Priest and Advocate
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
The final reason to consider is one that makes Christ so enduring and so approachable. He understands what you go through. The beauty of Christ becoming flesh and taking on human form is that he now can empathize with everything you feel. He knows what it means to be loved and rejected. Praised and criticized. To experience loyalty and betrayal. To be followed by many and to be all alone. To feel close to the Father and to feel forsaken.
In short, he knows what it is like to be human because he was. Because of his humanity, you can feel comfortable coming to him with every situation in life. There is nothing that you go through that should make you run from him. Everything you go through should cause you to run to him. In him, you will find one who is waiting to embrace you and help you because he has walked in your shoes.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that you can pray to a God who knows exactly how you feel? Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus understands who you are and where you are? The fact that Jesus came in the flesh should be a source of comfort and confidence. He completed a course that we would never be able to. In doing so he demonstrated the lengths that the Father would go to simply redeem you. What a great God and wonderful Savior we have. Let’s worship him and give him the praise he deserves because truly he is worthy of it all.
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Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.
This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
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