AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH

Title: AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: John 1:14
Supporting Texts: Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:1-20, Philippians 2:6-8

INTRODUCTION:
At Christmas, we celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. John 1:14 captures the essence of this mystery, declaring, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." The Creator became a part of His creation, coming to live among humanity in the form of a baby. This profound truth lies at the heart of the Christmas story: God’s eternal Word, Jesus, entered the world to dwell among us, bringing salvation, grace, and truth. Let us explore the deep significance of this divine act and its impact on our lives.

1. THE INCARNATION: GOD BECOMING MAN

a) The Mystery of the Incarnation:
The incarnation is the act of God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. This act of love and humility shows how far God was willing to go to redeem mankind (Philippians 2:6-8).

b) The Word as God:
Before becoming flesh, Jesus existed as the Word, co-equal with God, and was God Himself (John 1:1).

c) God's Desire to Be with Us:
The incarnation shows God’s desire to draw near to humanity, to experience life alongside us, and to provide a path of salvation (Matthew 1:23).

d) Jesus, the Perfect Revelation of God:
In Jesus, we see the full revelation of God’s nature, love, and truth, as He is the perfect image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

e) Biblical Example:
The birth of Jesus in the humble manger in Bethlehem marked the moment when God Himself entered our world, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.”

2. GOD WITH US: THE DIVINE VISITATION

a) The Significance of Immanuel:
Immanuel means "God with us," and the birth of Jesus marked the fulfillment of this promise. God came to dwell among His people in the most intimate and personal way (Matthew 1:23).

b) God Entering Our World:
By choosing to be born as a baby, Jesus entered the world in a way that all people could relate to—helpless, vulnerable, and dependent on others (Luke 2:7).

c) The Word Dwelling Among Us:
John tells us that the Word became flesh and “dwelt among us.” This means that Jesus didn’t just visit; He made His home with us, showing us how to live in relationship with God (John 1:14).

d) Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecy:
The birth of Christ was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, who would bring peace, justice, and salvation to the world (Isaiah 9:6-7).

e) Biblical Example:
The shepherds were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth and went to find Him, rejoicing and spreading the word of what they had seen and heard (Luke 2:17-20).

3. THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION: SALVATION AND REDEMPTION

a) The Son Came to Save the Lost:
The incarnation was not an end in itself, but a means to an end. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, offering redemption through His death and resurrection (Luke 19:10).

b) Jesus Came to Reveal the Father:
Through His life and teachings, Jesus revealed the heart of the Father to us. His love and sacrifice showed us the way to God (John 14:9).

c) Grace and Truth Through Jesus:
Jesus brought with Him grace and truth, which were revealed through His actions and His words. He showed humanity the way to true life and freedom (John 1:17).

d) The Suffering Servant:
Jesus came to experience human suffering and pain, identifying with our weaknesses in order to provide us with salvation through His own suffering (Isaiah 53:3-5).

e) Biblical Example:
Simeon, a righteous man, declared that he had seen the salvation of the Lord when he held the baby Jesus in his arms, recognizing that Jesus had come to bring salvation to all people (Luke 2:29-32).

4. THE RESPONSE TO THE INCARNATION: WORSHIP AND BELIEF

a) The Shepherds’ Response:
Upon hearing the angel's announcement, the shepherds immediately went to see the baby Jesus, and upon finding Him, they worshiped Him, spreading the good news of His birth (Luke 2:15-20).

b) The Wise Men’s Worship:
The wise men traveled from afar to worship Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, acknowledging Him as King and Savior (Matthew 2:11).

c) A Call to Believe in Him:
The incarnation calls for a personal response. Just as the shepherds and wise men believed and worshiped, so must we believe in Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12).

d) The Call to Follow Jesus:
Jesus did not come merely to be adored in a manger; He calls us to follow Him and live according to His example (Matthew 4:19).

e) Biblical Example:
The apostle Thomas, after doubting the resurrection of Jesus, declared, "My Lord and my God!" when he saw Jesus, giving a profound example of worship and belief in Christ (John 20:28).

5. THE HOPE AND JOY OF THE INCARNATION: ETERNAL LIFE

a) Jesus, the Way to Eternal Life:
Through His incarnation, Jesus opened the door to eternal life. His life, death, and resurrection provide the way for all who believe in Him to have everlasting life (John 14:6).

b) A Future Hope in Christ:
The incarnation of Jesus assures us of our future hope in Christ—the promise of His return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:1-4).

c) Joy in Salvation:
The birth of Jesus brings great joy, for in Him we find salvation, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal joy (Luke 2:10-11).

d) Living in the Light of Christ:
The Word made flesh brings light into a dark world. Those who walk in His light experience His life and joy (John 8:12).

e) Biblical Example:
The apostle John writes about the joy of having eternal life through Christ, stating that this life is in His Son and that those who believe in Him will never perish (1 John 5:11-12).

CONCLUSION:
At Christmas, we celebrate the incredible mystery and miracle of God becoming flesh. Jesus, the eternal Word, chose to enter our world as a baby, to live among us, and to show us the way to the Father. His birth is not just a historical event; it is the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation. As we reflect on the meaning of the incarnation, let us respond in worship, belief, and obedience to the One who came to save us and give us eternal life.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to dwell among us and bring us salvation.

2. Father, help me to fully grasp the significance of the Word made flesh and live in the light of this truth.

3. Lord, let the joy of Christmas fill my heart, knowing that Jesus came to bring salvation to the world.

4. Father, I pray for a deeper understanding of the incarnation and its implications for my life.

5. Lord, help me to live in the hope of eternal life that Jesus’ birth brings.

6. Father, I pray for those who have not yet come to know Jesus, that they may encounter Him and believe in Him.

7. Lord, may my life reflect the love and grace that Jesus demonstrated when He became flesh.

8. Father, help me to worship and follow Jesus with all my heart.

9. Lord, thank You for the gift of salvation through the birth of Jesus Christ.

10. Father, I declare that the light of Christ will shine in my life and guide me every day.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. I declare that the Word made flesh will bring light and life to every area of your life.

2. You will experience the fullness of salvation that comes through the birth of Jesus Christ.

3. The joy of Christmas will fill your heart and overflow into your relationships.

4. I declare that the hope of eternal life will inspire you to live boldly for Christ.

5. The love of God, revealed in the incarnation of Jesus, will transform your life.

6. I decree that you will walk in the light of Christ and experience His peace.

7. The grace and truth of Jesus Christ will empower you to live in victory.

8. I declare that you will share the good news of Jesus' birth with others, bringing them to Christ.

9. Your life will reflect the humility and love of Christ, who became flesh to dwell among us.

10. I declare that you will live in the eternal joy and hope that Jesus' birth brings.