Yesterday in church we discussed the Song of Mary with an in-depth look at the incarnation of Christ (Click here if you missed the sermon). The word “incarnate” comes from the Latin word and means “in” “carno—flesh.” John 1:14 says, “The word became flesh and dwelled among us.” John 1:14 in the Latin Vulgate reads “et Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis…”
The Word…God Himself…Jesus put skin on and dwelled among us.
Here (among many, many, many other places in Scripture) we see the dual-nature of Christ. The theological term used to describe the dual nature of Christ is the “Hypostatic Union.” Consider reading this article if you’d like to know more about the hypostatic union.
The point of today’s devotional is to remind you of the miracle of Christmas—the incarnation of Christ. It was in God’s great mercy towards us that He sent Jesus, His only Son to dwell among us. He was born under the law so that he might redeem those under the law that we (that’s you and me) might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5).
Because of God’s great love for us and because of his great mercy, Jesus put on flesh. The immortal became simultaneously mortal (He died on the cross in His humanity) and immortal (He showed His divinity by raising from the dead). The all-powerful (divinity) was suddenly able to become tired (humanity). The Creator of all things, put on flesh and grew in the womb of the very one He created.
It’s a baffling story…one that leaves us unable to fully comprehend. How could this be? God stepped down…became like us? Why? Love. He did it because he loves you. The incarnation should shock us and create wonder and awe in our spirit. We should be breathless when we consider the fullness of the story that the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.
Understanding the significance of the incarnation will cause you to do exactly what Mary did… worship Him and magnify Him with all you have. Mary said it like this: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47).
Ponder anew on the incarnation of Christ. Consider the hypostatic union of Jesus. And let your breath, your every breath, be used to glorify your God…who loved you that much.
Questions to Consider:
- Have you ever considered how significant the incarnation is? It is important to keep the chronology correct. God became man, man did not become God. Jesus was not born merely a man who then became God. Nor was He born only a God who was not a man. And even still, He was not born as some mixture of God and man. He was and is and always will be fully, 100% God. And He is fully, 100% man. And in this way, He alone could satisfy the wrath of the Father by dying on the cross. And He alone could demonstrate his power of death by resurrecting from the grave!
- Now that you know a bit more about the significance of the incarnation, how will you use your knowledge to share the Gospel…the miracle of Christmas AND the miracle of Easter with those in your life?
Prayer to Pray
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the incarnation, when you became flesh. Thank you dying for my sins on the cross in your humanity and thank you for resurrecting from the dead in your divinity. Thank you for the incarnation and the resurrection. Help me worship you, the God who became flesh because of love! In Your Holy Name I pray—Amen.
Bonus:
Here is a link to our FBC Moberly Christmas Playlist. What songs would you add? Reply back and let me know!