the word became flesh

"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)."

When John declares, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), he is making one of the most staggering claims in all of Scripture: the eternal God who spoke creation into being stepped into His creation. The Creator took on flesh. Jesus is both fully God and fully man—what theologians call the incarnation.

To John’s first readers, the phrase “dwelt among us” would have rung loudly. The word literally means “tabernacled.” Just as the Tabernacle in the wilderness was the place where God’s glory rested, so now Jesus is the true Tabernacle—the dwelling place of God with His people. In Him, God’s presence is no longer distant, hidden behind a veil, but visible and approachable. He is the center of our lives, the keeper of God’s law, the sacrifice for our sins, and the place of true worship.

John says, “We have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” What Moses could not see on Mount Sinai, we now behold in Jesus Christ. In Him, the glory of God shines not in consuming fire but in redeeming grace. Through His fullness, we receive “grace upon grace”—forgiveness, adoption, daily strength, and the promise of eternal life.

Beloved, this changes everything. If Jesus is the Word made flesh, then He must be the center of your life. He is not an accessory to faith but the heart of it. He calls you not just to admire Him but to receive Him, to trust Him, to worship Him. The eternal God has drawn near. Look upon Christ, the only Son from the Father. See His glory. Receive His grace. And in believing, find life in His name.

THREE QUESTIONS FOR CENTERING YOUR LIFE ON CHRIST

1. John shows that Jesus is the Tabernacle—the center of God’s presence among His people. What would it look like for Jesus to truly be at the center of your life, rather than at the margins? What practical steps could you take this week to reorient your time, priorities, and decisions around Him?

2. The sermon described “grace upon grace” as a never-ending stream flowing from Christ’s fullness. How does this understanding of grace challenge the way you think about your relationship with God—especially when you fail, feel distant, or try to earn His favor?

3. The incarnation shows us that Jesus came near, entering into our world with time, intentionality, and vulnerability. How can you practice “incarnational friendship” within our church family?