Incarnation, of Christ
In the Flesh
Literally, “en-flesh-ment” (Latin carnis—”flesh”); the doctrine that the Son of God became human (John 1:14). Jesus did not play at becoming a man but took on our flesh with all its problems and weaknesses. Incarnation, in the Christian understanding, means that Christ was both God and human.
The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton , IL; 1984), p. 351
Quote
• The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding. Martin Luther
Table Talk
Our Greatest Need
• If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
• If your greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
• If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
• If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
• But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. (Author Unknown)
Progress Magazine, December 25, 1992
Mary Had The Little Lamb
Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth; Self-existent Son of God, from Heaven He came to Earth. Micah 5:2
Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall — Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall. Isaiah 7:14
Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God; Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod. John 6:38
Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free. 1 Peter 1:18
Mary had the little Lamb—men placed Him in the grave, Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave! Matthew 28:6
Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He; All work on Earth is ended, our Advocate to be. Hebrews 4:14–16
Mary had the little Lame—mystery to behold! From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold. Revelation 5: 5, 6
When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure: It won’t be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion’s roar. Psalm 2:12 Revelation 19:11–16
Marv and Marbeth Rosenthal
Copies of this poem may be used without written permission from the authors.
The Unspeakable Gift
Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and good king. He loved his people. He wanted to know how they lived. He wanted to know about their hardships. Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar, and went to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited thought that he was their ruler. One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, “I am your king!” The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor, but he didn’t. Instead he said, “You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the course food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!”
The King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave himself to you and me. The Bible calls Him, “the unspeakable gift!”
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Accommodation
God is willing to make any accommodations to have fellowship with us. Like becoming human. Illustration: A hospital patient was in an accident and is left with the sense of smell only. Her mother wanted to communicate her presence, so used a perfume the girl would remember as her mom’s. Now the perfume is not the mother’s essential nature, but is an extension of her real self to communicate on the girl’s level. God also is not essentially a body, but he became human. He extended Himself to communicate on our level so we could respond.
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Become a Dog?
Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog and every dog is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved’s face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak? Christ by becoming man limited the thing which to Him was the most precious thing in the world; his unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father. – C. S. Lewis
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Purposes of the Incarnation
1. To do the Father’s will (Jn. 6:38)
2. To bear witness to the truth (Jn. 18:37)
3. To bring light to the darkness (Jn. 12:46)
4. To bring true judgment (Jn. 9:39)
5. To bring abundant life (Jn. 10:10).
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