The Word Became Flesh

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The Gospel of John declares the radical message: The Word became flesh. It did not look like flesh. It did not assume flesh. It did not just act like flesh. The Gospel declares the Word became flesh. This notion is so important to John and his community of believers and (using slightly different lingo) it is also important to Paul. For example John declares that if a person denies that Christ came in the flesh that person (not some satanic incarnation of Hollywood) is the antichrist (2 Jn 7).

What is so important about this idea that a person could even be called the “antichrist” for denying? In a nutshell because in Jesus of Nazareth God is showing us what he intended in the beginning. Jesus is the true human being what God wanted from the first day of creation. In the person of Jesus we see restored humanity. Humanity in harmony with God. Humanity doing the will of the Father. Humanity with an unbelievably intimate relationship with the Spirit. In the Flesh, through Jesus the Christ, God is showing us what he wants for you … and me. The incarnation, when the Word became Flesh, connected salvation with creation. John teaches us that God so loved the world, even the “flesh,” that he gave his one and only Son to redeem and save it. It is good news that the Word became Flesh. It is good news to know that God loves all of me and not just some invisible part of me. It is good news that God became flesh in Jesus. What a compliment. John dares to say that we simply cannot understand the story of Jesus without believing this incredible truth.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine