Incarnation
Key Verses:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1 (ESV)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14 (ESV)
Definition:
The doctrine of the incarnation teaches that the eternal Son of God took on true human nature without ceasing to be God. The word incarnation comes from the Latin incarnare, meaning “to make flesh.” In the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity entered human history as Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man in one Person.
The incarnation is not God appearing like a man, nor God temporarily inhabiting a human body, but God truly becoming man while remaining fully divine.
Explanation:
John’s Gospel opens by anchoring Christ firmly in eternity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Before creation, before time, before Bethlehem, Christ existed eternally as God. He is not a created being, not a lesser deity, and not a moral teacher elevated by history. He is the eternal Word—distinct from the Father, yet fully divine.
Then comes one of the most staggering statements in all of Scripture: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The eternal Son did not merely visit humanity; He entered it. He took on a real human body, a real human mind, real human weakness—yet without sin. The infinite stepped into the finite. The Creator entered His creation.
This is what we celebrate at Christmas. The incarnation is not merely the birth of a child, but the humbling of God Himself. As Paul later writes, Christ “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). This was not a loss of deity, but a veiling of glory. Jesus did not stop being God; He added humanity to Himself.
The incarnation was necessary for our salvation. Only a true man could represent humanity, obey God’s law, and die in our place. Only true God could bear the weight of divine judgment and conquer sin and death. In the incarnation, God provided exactly what sinners needed—a Savior who is both God and man.
What the Incarnation Accomplishes:
- God Makes Himself Known. In Christ, God is no longer distant or unseen. Jesus reveals the Father perfectly, showing us God’s character, compassion, and holiness in human form (John 14:9).
- A Perfect Mediator Is Provided. By becoming man, Christ is able to stand between God and humanity, representing both fully and faithfully (1 Timothy 2:5).
- Salvation Becomes Possible. The incarnation makes possible Christ’s obedient life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. Without the incarnation, there is no cross—and no gospel.
- God Dwells with His People. John tells us that Christ “dwelt among us,” echoing God’s dwelling with Israel in the tabernacle. In Jesus, God comes near, entering our suffering and weakness to redeem us from within it.
Application:
The incarnation reshapes how we view both God and ourselves. God did not save us from a distance. He entered our world, our pain, and our humanity. At Christmas, we do not merely celebrate warmth, nostalgia, or tradition—we celebrate the miracle that God became flesh for us.
Because Christ took on humanity, our lives matter. Our suffering is not ignored. Our redemption is secure. God has drawn near, and He has done so in grace and truth.
Reflection:
Consider what it means that God chose to reveal Himself not in power alone, but in humility. How does the incarnation deepen your worship this Christmas season? In what ways does knowing that God became man bring comfort, assurance, or awe to your faith?
Prayer:
Gracious Father, We praise You for the wonder of the incarnation—that Your eternal Son took on flesh and dwelt among us. Thank You for sending Christ to reveal Your glory, to share in our humanity, and to redeem us from sin. Teach us to worship You with humility and joy, especially as we remember the miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.