Monday, December 22, 2008

THE INCARNATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 
All things were made through him, and without him was 
not any thing made that was made. In him was life, 
and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, 
and the darkness has not overcome it.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only 
Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 
For the law was given through Moses; 
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 
No one has ever seen God; the only God, 
who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. 
-John 1:1-5, 14, 17-18


"The biblical teaching regarding the incarnation of Christ and the person of the Mediator is awe-inspiring. This doctrine amazes us not simply because it is mysterious and somewhat beyond human comprehension, but because there is a sense in which the hypostatic union of the two natures in Christ is the greatest miracle in Scripture. In order to save us God had to become man. The Son assumed a genuine human nature in order to: perfectly obey God’s law (in order to fulfill the covenant of works), suffer and die on the cross as a vicarious atonement and rise again victorious over Satan, sin and death. Even now the God-man sits enthroned at the right had of God interacting and applying redemption to His people. It is a tremendous blessing to us that the Mediator will forever and ever be both God and man. For eternity we will be able to look at the scars in our Lord’s hands, feet and side. His glorified human body will be an eternal testimony to His supreme love; the love that caused Him to descend from the room of heaven to the filthy manger in Bethlehem and the painful road to Golgotha.

If you are not a Christian, then it is now time to behold the God-man with the eyes of faith. Believe in His person and His work of redemption. There is no other name given among men by which we can be saved (Ac. 4:12). There is only one mediator between God and man, the Man Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5). Dear Christian, you know that there is no other greater motivation for obedience and good works than our love and adoration for Christ. Lord enable us to be continually faithful to our precious Lord and Savior—Immanuel. Amen."
- Brian Schwertley

3 comments:

cyd said...

Dear Steve,

Thank you for this encouragement today.

This Christmas will be considerably leaner for many of us. I was remembering this morning that not only did God Himself choose to put on flesh, but He did so in the lowliest circumstances possible and then remained in them during his life in this world! Truly His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher and different from ours. My heart was convicted to fix my gaze on Christ and His beauty rather than the seasonal distractions of baubles and trim. It was grace and balm for my anxious spirit.

How marvelous that we have a Savior Who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Look up! Look up and praise the glorious King Eternal!

Psalm 24

cyd

Unknown said...

I agree with Cyd's comment too Steve.

Though we may have a leaner tree this year, our hearts our full because of Jesus has done.

Thanks for posting this.
Peter

SJ Camp said...

Cyd and Peter
Thank you both for your kind and encouraging words on this post. It is a great and marvellous day on the redemptive calendar to celebrate the blessed incarnation of Jesus - God with us.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace on whom His eternal favor rests.

Merry Christmas...
Campi
Isaiah 9:6