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John 1:14 - God Became Flesh.

John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and 
made his dwelling among us. We have seen his 
glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came 
from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

John 1:14 (AMP) And the Word (Christ) became 
flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed 
His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and 
we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His 
majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives 
from his father, full of grace (favor, 
loving-kindness) and truth.  

WORD STUDY

The Word became flesh. While Christ as God 
was uncreated and eternal, the word "became" 
emphasizes Christ's taking on humanity (see Heb. 1:1-3; 
2:14-18). This reality is surely the most profound 
ever because it indicates that the Infinite 
became finite; the Eternal was conformed to time; 
the Invisible became visible; the supernatural 
One reduced Himself to the natural. In the 
Incarnation, however, the Word did not cease to be God 
but became God in human flesh, i.e., 
undiminished Deity in human form as a man (1 Tim. 3:16). 
[MacArthur Daily Bible 2003] 

Dwelt. Meaning "to pitch a tabernacle," or 
"live in a tent." The term recalls the Old 
Testament tabernacle where God met with Israel before 
the temple was constructed (Ex. 25:8). It was 
called the "tabernacle of meeting" (Ex. 33:7) where 
"the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man 
speaks to his friend" (Ex. 33:11). In the New 
Testament, God chose to dwell among His people in a far 
more personal way through becoming a man. In the 
Old Testament, when the tabernacle was 
completed, God's Shekinah presence filled the entire 
structure (Ex. 40:34; 1 Kin. 8:10). When the Word 
became flesh, the glorious presence of Deity was 
embodied in Him (Col. 2:9). [MacArthur Daily Bible 
2003] 

INTRODUCTION

The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in 
human flesh is a mystery, "even the mystery which 
hath been hid from ages and from generations." It 
is the great and profound mystery of godliness. 
"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." 
Christ took upon himself human nature, a nature 
inferior to his heavenly nature. Nothing so shows the 
wonderful condescension of God as this. He "so loved 
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son." 
John presents this wonderful subject with such 
simplicity that all may grasp the ideas set forth, and 
be enlightened.  RH04-05-06 

COMMENTARY PEARL

He Knows What Its Like
   When Jesus walked among us, He didnt 
empty Himself of His divine attributes, but He did 
accept the limitations of humanity. 
   In Philippians 2, we read, Though he 
was God, he did not think of equality with God 
as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up 
his divine privileges; he took the humble 
position of a slave and was born as a human being. 
When he appeared in human form, he humbled 
himself in obedience to God and died a criminals 
death on a cross (verse 6"8 NLT). 
   We know from Scripture that Jesus was 
tired. On one occasion, as He came to the city of 
Samaria, the Bible tells us that He was weary (see 
John 4:6 NLT). He had been walking all day, 
probably in the scorching heat of Israel. 
   How easily could Jesus have said to His 
disciples, You go ahead. Ill meet you there. 
Then He could have simply appeared in Samaria. 
After all, He was God. Why tire yourself out like 
that? 
   Yet Jesus voluntarily went through the 
process of feeling what it was like to be tired and 
exhausted. 
   We also know that Jesus felt hungry. 
During His temptation in the wilderness, He was 
hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights (see 
Matthew 4:2). The Bible also tells us that He 
experienced physical thirst. Hanging on the cross, He 
cried out, I thirst! (John 19:28 NKJV). The 
very God who created water, who could speak to a 
rock and cause water to gush out, experienced 
thirst. 
   Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, This High 
Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he 
faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did 
not sin (NLT). 
   We have a God who knows what its like 
to walk in our shoes. He knows what were 
going through. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

COMMENTARY

Christ Is Divine
   Just how divinity became human flesh and 
blood so that He could live among us as a human 
and yet show us the Father's glory is such a 
huge mystery that I have a hard time getting my 
mind around it. But here is what I know for sure. 
Without question He surely is divine because: 
   	only God could subdue and soften my 
stony, stubborn, prideful, selfish  
        heart. 
   	only God could break my chains of 
slavery to sin. 
   	only God could lift me out of the 
confusion of my sins and give me  
        clarity.
   	only God could continue to draw me 
with love even as I struggle to  
        distance myself from Him. 
   	only God could quiet my struggles 
with His assurance of acceptance and  
        love.
   	only God could say, "Your sins are 
forgiven, be of good cheer, and enter  
        into my joy." 
   	only God could turn my pain and deep 
sorrow into laughter. 
   	only God could enter my desolate 
heart and bring me indescribable joy.  
   	only God could account for the 
created magnificence of this universe. 
   	only God could keep all the promises 
that He has made. 
   	only God could satisfy the deep 
hunger of my soul with the banquet of  
        His grace. 
   	only God could be such a kind and 
gentle master to this grateful  
        servant.
   	only God could be such a good friend, 
brother, and constant companion to  
        me.
   	only God could be such a loving 
husband to my lonely soul - no spouse  
        could be as true. 
   	only God could be a loving and tender 
Savior to this wretched sinner. 
   	only God could be a soothing 
comforter to this mourner. 
   	only God could surround my grinding 
poverty with His extravagant wealth.  
   	only God could heal my feverish 
sickness with vibrant health. 
   	only God could light the oppressive 
darkness with His shining  
        brilliance. 
   	only God could enter the chaos of my 
life and give it order and beauty. 
   	only God could be so devoid of 
retribution and wrath in light of my  
        perpetual disobedience. 
   	only God could be so full of grace 
throughout my lifetime of spurning  
        His love.
   Glory to God in the highest. Great things 
He hath done. [God of Wonders by David Steen] 

   If you linger past sunset at Niagara 
Falls, you can watch the colorful lights illuminate 
Horseshoe Falls, creating a mighty, cascading rainbow. 
Back at your hotel room at night, you might drift 
off to sleep thinking about the majesty of that 
display and hear its roar in the distance. 
Eventually, the colored lights blink out, the crowds 
disperse, the city is quiet, and everything stops. But 
the Niagara River doesn't stop. It continues to 
crash over the precipice; the waters continue to 
flow - with every bit as much force as they had 
during the day. This is a picture of God's grace, 
always flowing, always cascading, always constant, 
never diminishing. Speaking of the Lord Jesus, 
today's Scripture reads, "From his fullness we have 
all received, grace upon grace." You will never 
exhaust His fullness. You will never run out of His 
unmerited favor. Your teaspoon dipping into Niagara 
Falls will not reduce its thunder. 
   Lord Jesus, I am in awe of Your might. 
One day You will ride a white horse followed by 
the armies of heaven, bringing judgment to a 
world that has scorned and rejected You. But now I 
see Your strength and power poured out as grace 
- and grace upon grace - for me and for so 
many who desperately need You. [A Spectacle of 
Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby re 
vss 14-16] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   I am the One and only who came from the 
Father, full of grace and truth. I came from Him and 
I returned to Him because I am God - the 
second Person of the Trinity.  
   I entered your world to provide a way for 
you to have a living, eternal relationship with 
your Father-God. People who do not know Me have 
often stated that there are many ways to God. But 
this claim is absolutely untrue: I am the Way, 
the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the 
Father except through Me.  
   I come to you, beloved, full of grace. 
Because you have trusted Me to save you from your 
sins through My sacrificial death on the cross, 
you have nothing to fear. You don't need to 
dread failure or performing below expectations. 
Since I am your Savior - and you cannot save 
yourself - your security rests in My grace. Rejoice 
that I am both faithful and sufficient. In spite 
of all the trouble in this world, in Me you may 
have Peace. I have overcome the world! (John 
1:14; 14:6; 16:33) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young] 

   Come to Me, and rest in My Presence. As 
you ponder the majestic mystery of the 
Incarnation, relax in My everlasting arms. I am the only 
Person who was ever sired by the Holy Spirit. This 
is beyond your understanding. Instead of trying 
to comprehend My Incarnation intellectually, 
learn from the example of the wise men. They 
followed the leading of a spectacular star, then fell 
down in humble worship when they found Me.  
   Praise and worship are the best responses 
to the wonder of My Being. Sing praises to My 
holy Name. Gaze at Me in silent adoration. Look 
for a star of guidance in your own life, and be 
willing to follow wherever I lead. I am the Light 
from on high that dawns upon you, to guide your 
feet into the way of Peace. (Luke 1:35; John 
1:14; Mat. 2:10, 11; Luke 1:78, 79) [Jesus Calling 
by Sarah Young] 

   I am full of grace and truth. Grace" 
refers to the undeserved favor and Love I have for 
you. Receiving something you don't deserve is 
humbling, and that's a good thing - protecting you 
from pride. Grace is a gift of boundless worth, 
for it secures your eternal salvation. Because 
you know Me as Savior, I will always be 
favorable toward you, beloved. My Love for you is 
undeserved, unearned, and unfailing; so you can't lose 
it! Just trust in My unfailing Love, and rejoice 
in My salvation. 
   I am not only full of truth, but I am the 
Truth. People today are barraged by news and 
messages laced with spin and lies. As a result, 
cynicism abounds in the world. But in Me and in the 
Bible, you find absolute, unchanging Truth! Knowing 
Me sets your feet on a rock and gives you a 
firm place to stand. This secure foundation for 
your life makes you a bright beacon in a dark, 
relativistic world. Let your light shine so that many 
will see and put their trust in Me. (John 1:14; 
14:6; Psa. 13:5, 6; Mat. 5:16) [Jesus Always by 
Sarah Young] 

CLOSING PEARL

   One thing about Christianity that keeps 
me coming back for more: God with us. Its 
even what Jesuss name means: Emmanuel. 
Who can resist a God who became human to be with 
us?  
   What a mind-blowing concept. In my World 
Literature class, we read all kinds of sacred texts. 
Some texts use descriptive words about God that 
are similar to those found in the Bible. There 
is a plethora of images of a majestic being, a 
creator, a powerful authority figure. But the 
similarities end when we get to the idea of Jesus - the 
Almighty One - who chooses to laugh and cry, feel 
pain, and get dirt under His fingernails.  
   Louisa May Alcott said, I dont want 
a religion that I put away with my Sunday 
clothes. I want something to see and feel and live 
day by day. Jesus also wanted to see and feel 
and live - to dwell - with us.  
   What did that look like? It looked like 
an unwed mother. A family who became refugees. 
A king on a donkey. It meant that those whom 
religion rejected could join the party. That no one 
was unclean. It meant women were special - 
bringing baby God into the world, being with Him at 
the cross, the first to see His resurrected 
body.  
   And now Jesus dwells in us. We are His 
body. He uses our ears to listen, our eyes to see, 
our mouths to speak. He touches and heals with 
our hands. He walks through the world on our 
feet. by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry  
   Faith Step: Today spend extra time 
abiding in Jesus. [Mornings With Jesus 2020 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

John 1:14 - He Loves to Be with the Ones He 
Loves. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181201-1332.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

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