“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” John 1.14
God in the Flesh —We have already learned that the Word was in the beginning with God, “and the Word was God.” Therefore when we are told that “the Word was made flesh” we know that it is the same as though it said, “God was made flesh.” This is most sacred ground, and no one should presume to think of it, much less to speak or write of it in any other language than that of the Scriptures itself. Untold evil has resulted from the attempt to define and explain God in human creeds.
Which Flesh? —“All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes.” 1 Corinthians 15.39. Of course there is no chance for thought that the Word was made any other flesh than that of men; but the point to be noted is that there is but one flesh of man, so that when the Word was made flesh, He took a nature common to all man, high and low, rich and poor. He was “made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Romans 1.3. He is “the Man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2.5
The Nature of the Flesh —“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like.” Galatians 5.19-21. No man has any reason to despise another. Whenever we hear of a brutal crime, or see a man grossly degraded by sin, we may know that it is simply the natural working of the flesh, which we share in common with him. It needs this view before us, to enable us to comprehend the wonderful love that would lead the pure and holy God to come into such flesh. But this was the very flesh which the Word was made.
“Yet Without Sin”—Although the Word was made flesh, even our own sinful flesh, He was “full of grace and truth.” He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4.15. God made Him “to be sin for us,” yet He “knew no sin.” 2 Corinthians 5.21. He was made to be sin, yet He “did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2.22. It is these two things combined that make Him a sympathizing Saviour, in whom we may freely confide. No one can sympathize with another’s failings, if he has not been tempted in the same way. Moreover, those who are guilty of any sin are the quickest and fiercest to condemn others for the same sin. Sinners excuse sin, but have no sympathy for fellow-sinners. It is only those who are cleansed from sin, who can exercise charity for the erring. Christ was tempted to the uttermost, and was always pure from the slightest taint of sin; therefore we may trust Him as one who knows and who cares.
Able to Help —“In all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2.17,18. And He is “able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through Him.” Hebrews 7.25
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