The word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. – John 1:14
Not only did the Son of God become a baby, but also he became flesh. Divinity joined to corporeal muscle, blood and bones. In this humbling of the eternal Son of God, the Word who was with God from the beginning and was God, chose to begin in the way all flesh does—as a newborn.
But what does “flesh” really mean? Doesn’t it sound a bit crass?
In the Bible, the word “flesh” points to a number of different realities. Literally, it means “the body,” the tissues and bones and fluids that are common to any human being living anywhere in the world at any time. The body is the jar of clay in which God has placed treasures. Consequently, at another level, “flesh” can mean “humanity” or “human nature.” To speak of “flesh and blood” refers to the humanness that you share with your family, friends, and people you’ve never met. And at a different level, “flesh” can mean “fallen, flawed, human.” “The flesh” is shorthand in Paul’s epistles for intrinsic human nature—broken and fallible. But there is one exception. One human life that was not flawed and full of sin—Jesus’.
“The word became flesh.” It means that the Son of God became human—really, truly human—with the exception that he had no sin. Christmas is a time of awe because the best news the human race ever received was that its Creator had so much love, that he joined the human race to save it. He is a savior who experienced real hunger, real fatigue, real sorrow. He faced temptation when the Evil One tempted him in the wilderness with very “fleshy” things like power, wealth, and authority (Luke 4:1-13).
Jesus knows us, because he was one of us. Real flesh, but perfect. So on those days when we are so disappointed with ourselves because we are having a hard time controlling the flesh, this is the kind of savior to turn to.
Prayer for today:
Lord, help me to hear “the Word” this Christmas. Help me to see you for who you are in all your glory. Thank you for humbling yourself.