January 19 – The Word Became Flesh

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (KJV)

When we seek a profound mystery to contemplate, let us turn our minds to the most wondrous event that has ever occurred in heaven or on earth—the incarnation of the Son of God.

Only Christ could fully reveal the character and divinity of God. Humanity required that God Himself be made known to them, and for this purpose, our Savior took on human nature. By taking on humanity, He made Himself understandable to us. Only humanity could reach humanity. Through His life on earth, Christ displayed the character of God in the human form that had been prepared for Him.

If Christ had come in His divine glory, humanity could not have borne the sight. The contrast would have been too overwhelming, and His glory too consuming. Even the presence of a pure angel would have been unbearable. Therefore, Christ did not take on the nature of angels but came in the likeness of humanity, fully sharing our condition.

As we behold Christ, we see the invisible God. He veiled His divinity in humanity so that His glory could be gently revealed—softened and subdued—allowing us to look upon Him without being consumed. Through Christ, our Creator and Redeemer, we behold God. It is our privilege to see Jesus by faith, standing between humanity and the eternal throne. He is our Advocate, presenting our prayers and spiritual offerings before God. Through His perfect life, Christ became the atoning sacrifice, enabling communion between God and humankind.

Christ has taken His humanity into eternity. He stands before God as our representative. When we are clothed with the wedding garment of His righteousness, we are united with Him. He declares of His faithful: “They shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4, KJV). In eternity, His redeemed will see Him in His unveiled glory, standing as the perfect union of God and man, the fulfillment of the hope of salvation.