The Amazement of the Incarnation

Matthew Henry in his commentary tells of Francis Junius, a 15th century reformed scholar and theologian, who reported that after his first reading of John chapter 1 that he “observed such a divinity in the argument, such an authority and majesty in the style, that his flesh trembled, and he was struck with such amazement that for a whole day he scarcely knew where he was or what he did; and thence he dates the beginning of his being religious.” (Matthew Henry)

Such is the effect of John’s gospel which presents Christ as the divine Logos, the Word become flesh.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 CSB

That’s why one of our special Christmas traditions is watching the movie The Gospel of John during the Christmas season. Every word in this dramatized version comes straight from the Good News Bible. It’s like watching the entire Gospel in action. And it penetrates even the deepest recesses of our hearts.

The greatest miracle

The incarnation is the greatest of all miracles. The most improbable and seemingly impossible. Not because coming to earth and becoming human was too difficult for Christ. Nothing could ever be too difficult for the omnipotent Creator of the universe.

Of God’s choosing

But because the incarnation was of God’s choosing. He chose to send his Son out of his love for humanity and his desire to change man’s course for eternity. The king of the entire universe stooped down to become Emmanuel, God with us.

This is mind-boggling. So mind-boggling that we too should feel amazed, like Francis Junius. We sometimes overlook the vast import of these words: “The Word became flesh, and lived among us.” We need to once again see his glory. To let those words leave us awestruck.

We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 CSB

John’s gospel, with its rich discourses, focuses on Christ’s identity and earthly mission. It highlights Christ’s glory, which undoubtedly gripped him as he penned the words. And which later enabled him to stand firm through persecution and his exile on the island of Patmos.

And that is why the Gospel of John has gripped hearts through the centuries. And why it continues to do so today.

Pivotal to our faith

The incarnation of Christ is the pivotal point of our Christian faith. The whole of Christian theology rests on it. Without it, we could neither know God to the degree that we do. Nor have any assurance of salvation or of the resurrection.

But he, the Creator of the universe, the all-knowing, all-powerful God chose to come. So that we may know him and his saving grace. The Messiah King and Servant Son, came in the flesh. He became the Savior of the world, while never ceasing to be the “Great I am.”

A Christmas prayer

My prayer this Christmas is that we would all keep the awesomeness of Christ’s advent in mind.

That we would not be caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and activities, no matter how good they might be. That we do not remain transfixed by trees and decorations that get packed away to gather dust the rest of the year. But be so awestruck by the glory and majesty of the Emmanuel miracle that all will seem dim in comparison.

May we be so awestruck by the glory and majesty of the miracle of Emmanuel God with us, that all else grows dim.

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Reflecting on the glory of God can help us realize how small we are and how much we need him. For only by becoming small do we fully comprehend his greatness and majesty. Let us rejoice that the light of the world has come, and that darkness will never be able to put it out!

View the trailer for the film below. I’m sure you won’t regret it. But I recommend getting a copy to watch over and over. This is one film we should watch again and again!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1:1-5 CSB

Images: Dove in flight by 6248913 | Bible by Tim Wildsmith | Essential by Alexander Grey | Woman praising by Fotorech.