John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory . . .
This verse is often read at Christmas. But John isn’t writing about the glory of Christ’s birth–it’s not just angelic announcements, an unusual star or the babe in a manger.
John saw glory in wise words, miraculous healings, death on the cross, resurrection, ascension. He saw God-in-Him in God-with-us.
Behold the glory!
Glory:
John 1:14 (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory.
Let’s look at that word, glory. Per biblehub.com the Greek word used here, doxa, can mean intrinsic worth. Per merriam-webster.com, intrinsic refers to the essential nature of something.
John is saying, “We have seen Christ’s essential nature; we have seen God-in-Him.”
This week, look for the glory.
Here’s my routine for the Ignatius practice of discernment: every morning, I look back on the previous day and remember when I felt closest to and furthest from God. I make that my prayer.
From my journal:
Consolation: Thank you, Lord, for the French Impressionist landscape view as I drove to work. The light and shadows . . . wow!
Desolation: The sense of panic when my computer didn’t work right was disturbing. Like the computer is the most important thing in my world? Shouldn’t be, dear God.
Not earth-shattering, but it helps me pitch my tent closer to God’s.
Yesterday, we considered Spurgeon’s suggestion that we pitch our tent close to God’s. So how do we do that?
St. Ignatius (1491-1556) developed a set of spiritual exercises to improve discernment, sensitivity to consolation and desolation. Oversimplifying, consolation is close to God, desolation is distant from God. Make it your practice to think back through the day and ask, “when did I feel closest to God, and when did I feel furthest from God?”
Do more of what brings you closest to God; pursue consolation. Pitch your tent along side God’s.
“First, then, if God has come to dwell among men by the Word made flesh let us pitch our tent around this central tabernacle; do not let us live as if God were a long way off.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace
9/27/1885 (read the full sermon: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1862.htm)
John 1:14 (AMP)
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle (pitch his tent) among us.
I want my tent right next to His Tabernacle. Where’s your tent?
John 1:14 (AMP)
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us.
Exodus details the construction of the Tabernacle, the special tent that served as the dwelling place of God while the Israelites made their way from Egypt to the promised land. Moses talked to God face-to-face there (Exodus 33:11), but to most people God’s presence was powerful, holy and set apart.
Jesus “tabernacled” among us, first as a baby, then a healer and teacher–a familiar face on holy God.
In my younger days, we took the kids camping and called it vacation.
How about you? Ever sleep in a tent?
We owned a series of tents, each bigger and better than the one before–but none of with all the comforts of home.
John 1:14 (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
The Greek word skénoó, translated here as “made his dwelling” could also be translated “pitched his tent.” That is, Jesus left the comforts of his home in heaven and pitched his tent on earth–surely a greater sacrifice than me giving up running water, kitchen appliances and my cozy bed.
Thank you, Lord, for pitching your tent among us.
Jesus in the nativity set.
Jesus in an inflatable lawn decoration.
Jesus in a stained glass window.
Jesus on a Christmas card.
Jesus isn’t a decoration. He is God-in-the-flesh.
John 1:14 (TLB)
And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us.
The word “flesh” brings to mind temptation. Hebrews 4:15 states that Jesus “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (ESV).
Me: I’m just too tired for my morning devotions, I’m going back to sleep.
Jesus: Been there, didn’t do it.
Me: I don’t need the calories, but I can’t possibly pass up that dessert.
Jesus: Been there, didn’t do it.
Me: I’m so mad at him–I’ll get even when I have the chance.
Jesus: Been there, didn’t do it.
I know that Jesus got up early to pray, fasted from more than dessert and blessed his enemies. And it makes a difference.
For over 40 years, thousands of people gathered every Sunday to hear Charles Haddon Spurgeon preach. His message wasn’t just relevant to the late 1800s. His words still ring true:
“‘The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.’ Note that word ‘flesh.’ It doth not say, ‘The Word was made man’: it means that, but the use of the word ‘flesh’ brings the Lord Jesus still closer to us, and shows that He took on Him the very nature and substance of manhood: He did not merely assume the name and notion, and appearance, of manhood, but the reality: the weakness, the suffering, the mortality of our manhood.”
from The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace, preached 9/27/1885
You can read the whole sermon here
Jesus, King of heaven and Prince of peace, in the flesh. Wow!
