Christmas

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OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY

(Sermon: December 13, 1998)

This morning I'd like to look at the story of Christmas as it's communicated in the Gospel of John. As your turning there you might be thinking to yourself, "Doesn't he realize that there's no Christmas story in John's Gospel?" To you I'd have to say, "Ah, but there most certainly is." And I'm going to show it to you today. It's found in John 1 and v. 14. There we're given the story of Christmas in a most concise and wonderful way. Actually, this verse in John is probably one of the most loaded verses in the entire Scriptures (loaded with truth, that is!). Have you found your place yet? Look now with me there, won't you?-- at v. 14 of John 1. Notice, it states...

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... (Jn. 1:14a).

This is the story of Christmas in the Gospel of John. And we're going to look at it in depth this morning. We're going to look at the Word and how the Word clothed Himself with humanity. We're also going to look at how the Word lived with mankind and how the Word's purpose was and is that people might behold God in all of His glory. These are the four parts of John's Christmas story we're going to consider today. But before we do...

Let's pause for a moment of prayer.

To begin let's now consider...

The Word. Concerning Him the first two verses of John's Gospel declare...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God (Jn. 1:1-2).

The Word. The Greek term used in v. 1 here and in our text this morning is "logos." The "logos." The "divine expression" as the Strong's Concordance defines Him (Strong's #3056). This is who the Word is. He's the divine expression of Almighty God. He's the vehicle through which the Lord has sought to communicate to man concerning Himself. The author of Hebrews puts it this way...

...[In] these last days [God] has spoken to us in His Son... (Heb. 1:2a).

He is the "radiance of [the Lord's] glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Heb. 1:3a). He's literally "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15a). Who better than Him to show forth who God really is. The Word.

He existed before time began. Before the first sunrise, before the first tick of a clock, before the first breath, before the first sparrow sang, the Word was (Col. 1:17a). And it was through Him that all things came into being (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16a; Heb. 1:2b). And according to Colossians 1, He is the very One who holds everything together (Col. 1:17b). The Word.

The book of Genesis reveals Him as the "Breath of Life." Exodus as the "Passover Lamb." In Leviticus, He's our "High Priest." In Numbers, He's "Fire By Night." In Dueteronomy, He's "Moses' Voice." The Word.

In Joshua, He's "Salvation's Choice." In Judges, He's the "Lawgiver." In Ruth, He's the "Kinsman Redeemer." The Word.

In First and Second Samuel, He's the "Trusted Prophet." In Kings and Chronicles, He's "Sovereign." In Ezra, He's the "True and Faithful Scribe." In Nehemiah, He's the "Rebuilder of Broken Walls and Lives." In Esther, He's "Mordecai's Courage." The Word.

In Job, He's the "Timeless Redeemer." In Psalms, He's our "Morning Song." In Proverbs, He's "Wisdom's Cry." In Ecclesiastes, He's the "Time and Season." In the Song of Solomon, He's the "Lover's Dream." The Word.

In Isaiah, He's the "Prince of Peace." In Jeremiah, the "Weeping Prophet." In Lamentations, He's the "Cry For Israel." In Ezekiel, He's the "Call From Sin." In Daniel, the "Stranger In The Fire." In Hosea, He's "Forever Faithful." The Word.

In Joel, He's the "Spirit's Power." In Amos, the "Arms That Carry Us." In Obadiah, He's the "Lord Our Savior." The Word.

In Jonah, He's the "Great Missionary." In Micah, the "Promise Of Peace." In Nahum, He is "Our Strength And Shield." The Word.

In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's "Pleading For Revival." In Haggai, He's the "Restorer Of A Lost Heritage." In Zechariah, He's "Our Fountain." In Malachi, He's the "Sun Of Righteousness Rising With Healing In His Wings." The Word.

In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He's the "God-Man, Messiah." In the Book of Acts, He's the "Fire From Heaven." In Romans, He's the "Grace Of God." In Corinthians, the "Power Of Love." In Galatians, the "Freedom From The Curse Of Sin." The Word.

In Ephesians, He's "Our Glorious Treasure." In Philippians, the "Servant's Heart." In Colossians, He's the "Godhead/Trinity." The Word.

In Thessalonians, He's "Our Coming King." In Timothy, Titus, Philemon, He's "Our Mediator" and "Our Faithful Pastor." The Word.

In Hebrews, He's the "Everlasting Covenant." In James, the "One Who Heals The Sick." In First and Second Peter, He's "Our Shepherd." In John's Epistles and in Jude, He's the "Lover Coming For His Bride." In Revelation, He's the "King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords!" The Word. The "logos." The divine expression of Almighty God. This is who the Word is. He's the vehicle through which the Lord has sought to communicate to man concerning Himself. The Word. *******

It is He who took on the vestments of a physical body.

Again John 1:14 states...

And the Word became flesh... (Jn. 1:14a). *******

Now the truth of God becoming one of us--the Incarnation as it's called-- is the most profound mystery of all time. Down through the ages both philosophers and scholars alike have wrestled with and debated concerning it. How could the infinite and timeless Lord of all things have subjected Himself to the limits of human existence? But that's exactly what Philippians 2 says that God's Son, Jesus Christ did. In v. 6ff of Philippians 2 we read that...

...[Although Jesus] existed in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but [Christ] emptied Himself (He literally laid aside His privileges as God), [and took on] the form of a bond-servant, and [was] made in the likeness of men (Php. 2:6-7).

This is the Incarnation. It is the very Word that we looked at in point #1--it is that same Word limiting Himself and becoming subject to the parameters of our existence. Regarding this Hebrews 2:14 states...

Since then the children (that is, those who would choose to believe in Christ)--Since then the children share in flesh and blood, [Jesus] Himself likewise also partook of the same... (Heb. 2:14a).

And the Word became flesh. *******

Now there's a movie my kids like to watch called: "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids." Some of you may have seen it. Those of you that have know that in the movie an eccentric father (whose predisposed towards developing wacky inventions) comes up with a shrinking machine. And by accident his kids, along with some of their neighbor friends, are shrunk by it. Now in their adventures through the grass of their front yard--which to them looks like an African forest!--the kids come across a host of creatures including a bee, one of those pincher-type bugs and an ant. And as I was thinking about the Incarnation--about how God clothed Himself with humanity--my mind was drawn to the latter creature of these three. Now it's one thing to be a human that's shrunk to the size of an ant and then placed in an ant's environment. But can you just imagine if instead you went from your human body to an ant's body? Can you imagine that? Now in the ant's body you'd still be the same individual you were before. You could still think like you used to. And you could still feel like you used to feel. But obviously some of the other things you did as a person would be impossible for you to do now as an ant.

Now this is about the best example--albeit corny!--that I can come up with to explain Christ's Incarnation. It's kind of like you or I becoming an ant. But our Lord had to humble Himself a trillion times over more than that. In our case we'd be a created being becoming another created being. While in Jesus' case He was the Eternal Creator becoming one with His creation.

And the Word became flesh. *******

Now I couldn't help but think that this action of our Lord in the Incarnation says alot about these bodies of ours. Remember the very form you inhabit this morning including your mind, will, emotions and spirit--a body composed just like yours once housed the living God. Is it any wonder then that the Psalmist declares...

I will give thanks to Thee [O God], for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well (Ps. 139:14)?

My brothers and sisters, the human body from the very beginning was made to be inhabited by the Lord. It was expressly designed by Him for that very purpose. This is the message of the Incarnation. And this is also the message of the Scriptures. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says that...

...[We] are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them..." (2 Cor. 6:16b).

So is God filling your "temple" today? Is He really? Or is there a vacancy sign outside the door?

And the Word clothed Himself with humanity. *******

And not only did He do this, but He also lived with mankind.

Again, our text says that...

...[God] dwelt among us... (John 1:14a).

Now I believe that these two terms, "dwelt" and "among," were carefully selected by John when He wrote this verse. By using them he was able to express a very important point about how our Lord lived while He was here. The Word "dwelt among us." To dwell means "to make one's home [with]" (Webster's 192) as opposed to just passing through. And the term "among" means "surrounded by" as opposed to being above or apart from.

The Word "dwelt among us." He made His home in the midst of mankind. One commentator puts it this way...

Having taken upon [Himself] the nature of man, [Christ embraced] the place and condition of other men. Having taken a body of the same [mold] with ours, in it he came, and resided in the same world with us (Matthew Henry 1508).

And though, due to sin the human race really should have been despised and discarded by God and rightly so, Jesus didn't come into the world to do that. Rather, Christ chose to surround Himself with men and women--to surround Himself with "sinners." When our Lord was here He didn't keep people at arms length. On the contrary, He was right up close and personal with everybody. And He treated all with the utmost respect and dignity. The Word lived with mankind. *******

In the recent, highly-acclaimed motion picture, "Titanic," a typical scene of that day (and ours, for that matter!) was portrayed. The ship's aristocracy found themselves enjoying the best of accomodations--the most extravagant rooms, the most elegant tables for dinner, the most lavish food to eat (caviare!), etc.--while the "second class" passengers were relegated to a much lower set of circumstances. And what made this scene even more typical was that the "well-off" people treated others on the ship with contempt and disdain. They literally walked around with their "noses in the air" if you you know what I mean.

Now when the Word of God came to earth He didn't act at all like this. In no way did Jesus ever display the attitude of an aristocrat. And we find this to be true even from His earliest days. At Christ's birth He chose to submit to the meanest of accomodations--His cradle was a manger in a cave. And during His upbringing Jesus elected to live in Nazareth of all places--an area that the people of His day looked down upon. (Do you remember how Nathanael said, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (Jn. 1:46). It's because the place was despised.) Now I guess our Lord could have chosen to do things differently. He could have acted like He was above people when He came (because He really was/is!). But that would've been completely out of character for Him. Our God isn't a God that acts selfishly like some men and women in this life with power and position do. That's why Christ determined to dwell among us and not over us.

The Word lived with mankind. And how many of you know that as His followers it's vital for each of us to take the same position He took and not the one of walking around with our "noses in the air" towards people? May God deliver any one of His children today whose pattern it is to treat others with contempt and disdain. *******

Now the final part of John's Christmas story I'd like to look at this morning is how...

Again, our text in it's entirety declares...

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... (Jn. 1:14a).

"...[And] we beheld His glory...." In another place this same author writes...

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life--and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you... (1 Jn. 1:1-3a).

Now it must've been the most amazing thing to literally view God in human form. Can you just picture that for a moment? Can you just imagine yourself as being one of the disciples who lived with the Lord Jesus (the Word of God!) on a daily basis? It must've have been nothing short of awesome. Wouldn't you agree? I mean to hear Christ's words personally (in "real time" for those of you who are computer users!) and to witness Jesus' miracles firsthand and to see His purity of heart and His goodness and His love in action--I mean no experience past, present or future for any of us can compare with it (except for when He comes back again!) ******* But this was the Word's purpose when He came. That people might behold Him in all of His glory. That they might see Him to be the One from whom they could receive healing. That they might view Him to be the One from whom they could receive provision. That they might perceive Him to be the One from whom they could receive redemption. This was the Word's purpose when He came. To reveal Himself to men and women--to afford all people an opportunity to behold His glory. *******

Now how many of you understand that unless God decides to show Himself to a person that that same person will never see Him? Even the Scriptures attest to this fact. Except by His parents and a few others near to Him early on, Jesus, for the most part, went unrecognized--unrecognized as the Messiah, that is! And this went on for some thirty years of His life. No one really knew who Jesus was because He'd veiled Himself--His deity--in human flesh. Even his cousin, John the Baptist, needed a sign from God--a dove--at Christ's baptism to perceive who Jesus was (Jn. 1:31-34). And that event in itself was most significant with regards to what I'm talking about here. Because it was from that day forward that God in Christ declared that His desire was no longer to remain hidden from the masses. Though it still is the Lord's prerogative to reveal Himself to those He chooses, in our day God has purposed to show Himself to all men. There's not one person alive to whom the Lord doesn't want to make Himself known.

And that includes you today! God wants you to behold His glory, dear one. He really does. But it first takes action on your part for it to happen. Whether you're a Christian or non-Christian you need to do something if you want to behold God's glory. And that something is this. You must turn your heart fully towards seeking Him. You must turn your heart fully towards seeking Him if you really want to see Jesus for who He is. In Jeremiah 29, speaking for God, the prophet states...

"'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,' declares the Lord..." (Jer. 29:13-14a).

So you see it's true. According to the Scriptures, those who pursue the Word with all that's in them will find Him. They'll truly behold the glory of God. They'll discover who Jesus really is.

Are you interested in beholding more of the Lord's glory in your own life? Have you yet set aside a time to seek Christ with all your heart this holiday season?

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... (Jn. 1:14a).


	From Our Heart To Yours \| home Christmas \| Death Of Christ \| Easter \| End Times \| Gambling \| Godly Living \| Hell \| Memorials \| Spiritual Slumber \| The Cross JOHN'S VERSION OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY (Sermon: December 13, 1998) This morning I'd like to look at the story of Christmas as it's communicated in the Gospel of John. As your turning there you might be thinking to yourself, "Doesn't he realize that there's no Christmas story in John's Gospel?" To you I'd have to say, "Ah, but there most certainly is." And I'm going to show it to you today. It's found in John 1 and v. 14. There we're given the story of Christmas in a most concise and wonderful way. Actually, this verse in John is probably one of the most loaded verses in the entire Scriptures (loaded with truth, that is!). Have you found your place yet? Look now with me there, won't you?-- at v. 14 of John 1. Notice, it states... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... (Jn. 1:14a). This is the story of Christmas in the Gospel of John. And we're going to look at it in depth this morning. We're going to look at the Word and how the Word clothed Himself with humanity. We're also going to look at how the Word lived with mankind and how the Word's purpose was and is that people might behold God in all of His glory. These are the four parts of John's Christmas story we're going to consider today. But before we do... Let's pause for a moment of prayer. To begin let's now consider... I. THE WORD. The Word. Concerning Him the first two verses of John's Gospel declare... In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God (Jn. 1:1-2). The Word. The Greek term used in v. 1 here and in our text this morning is "logos." The "logos." The "divine expression" as the Strong's Concordance defines Him (Strong's #3056). This is who the Word is. He's the divine expression of Almighty God. He's the vehicle through which the Lord has sought to communicate to man concerning Himself. The author of Hebrews puts it this way... ...[In] these last days [God] has spoken to us in His Son... (Heb. 1:2a). The Word. He is the "radiance of [the Lord's] glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Heb. 1:3a). He's literally "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15a). Who better than Him to show forth who God really is. The Word. He existed before time began. Before the first sunrise, before the first tick of a clock, before the first breath, before the first sparrow sang, the Word was (Col. 1:17a). And it was through Him that all things came into being (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16a; Heb. 1:2b). And according to Colossians 1, He is the very One who holds everything together (Col. 1:17b). The Word. The book of Genesis reveals Him as the "Breath of Life." Exodus as the "Passover Lamb." In Leviticus, He's our "High Priest." In Numbers, He's "Fire By Night." In Dueteronomy, He's "Moses' Voice." The Word. In Joshua, He's "Salvation's Choice." In Judges, He's the "Lawgiver." In Ruth, He's the "Kinsman Redeemer." The Word. In First and Second Samuel, He's the "Trusted Prophet." In Kings and Chronicles, He's "Sovereign." In Ezra, He's the "True and Faithful Scribe." In Nehemiah, He's the "Rebuilder of Broken Walls and Lives." In Esther, He's "Mordecai's Courage." The Word. In Job, He's the "Timeless Redeemer." In Psalms, He's our "Morning Song." In Proverbs, He's "Wisdom's Cry." In Ecclesiastes, He's the "Time and Season." In the Song of Solomon, He's the "Lover's Dream." The Word. In Isaiah, He's the "Prince of Peace." In Jeremiah, the "Weeping Prophet." In Lamentations, He's the "Cry For Israel." In Ezekiel, He's the "Call From Sin." In Daniel, the "Stranger In The Fire." In Hosea, He's "Forever Faithful." The Word. In Joel, He's the "Spirit's Power." In Amos, the "Arms That Carry Us." In Obadiah, He's the "Lord Our Savior." The Word. In Jonah, He's the "Great Missionary." In Micah, the "Promise Of Peace." In Nahum, He is "Our Strength And Shield." The Word. In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's "Pleading For Revival." In Haggai, He's the "Restorer Of A Lost Heritage." In Zechariah, He's "Our Fountain." In Malachi, He's the "Sun Of Righteousness Rising With Healing In His Wings." The Word. In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He's the "God-Man, Messiah." In the Book of Acts, He's the "Fire From Heaven." In Romans, He's the "Grace Of God." In Corinthians, the "Power Of Love." In Galatians, the "Freedom From The Curse Of Sin." The Word. In Ephesians, He's "Our Glorious Treasure." In Philippians, the "Servant's Heart." In Colossians, He's the "Godhead/Trinity." The Word. In Thessalonians, He's "Our Coming King." In Timothy, Titus, Philemon, He's "Our Mediator" and "Our Faithful Pastor." The Word. In Hebrews, He's the "Everlasting Covenant." In James, the "One Who Heals The Sick." In First and Second Peter, He's "Our Shepherd." In John's Epistles and in Jude, He's the "Lover Coming For His Bride." In Revelation, He's the "King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords!" The Word. The "logos." The divine expression of Almighty God. This is who the Word is. He's the vehicle through which the Lord has sought to communicate to man concerning Himself. The Word. ***** It is He who took on the vestments of a physical body. II. THE WORD CLOTHED HIMSELF WITH HUMANITY. Again John 1:14 states... And the Word became flesh... (Jn. 1:14a). *** Now the truth of God becoming one of us--the Incarnation as it's called-- is the most profound mystery of all time. Down through the ages both philosophers and scholars alike have wrestled with and debated concerning it. How could the infinite and timeless Lord of all things have subjected Himself to the limits of human existence? But that's exactly what Philippians 2 says that God's Son, Jesus Christ did. In v. 6ff of Philippians 2 we read that... ...[Although Jesus] existed in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but [Christ] emptied Himself (He literally laid aside His privileges as God), [and took on] the form of a bond-servant, and [was] made in the likeness of men (Php. 2:6-7). This is the Incarnation. It is the very Word that we looked at in point #1--it is that same Word limiting Himself and becoming subject to the parameters of our existence. Regarding this Hebrews 2:14 states... Since then the children (that is, those who would choose to believe in Christ)--Since then the children share in flesh and blood, [Jesus] Himself likewise also partook of the same... (Heb. 2:14a). And the Word became flesh. *** Now there's a movie my kids like to watch called: "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids." Some of you may have seen it. Those of you that have know that in the movie an eccentric father (whose predisposed towards developing wacky inventions) comes up with a shrinking machine. And by accident his kids, along with some of their neighbor friends, are shrunk by it. Now in their adventures through the grass of their front yard--which to them looks like an African forest!--the kids come across a host of creatures including a bee, one of those pincher-type bugs and an ant. And as I was thinking about the Incarnation--about how God clothed Himself with humanity--my mind was drawn to the latter creature of these three. Now it's one thing to be a human that's shrunk to the size of an ant and then placed in an ant's environment. But can you just imagine if instead you went from your human body to an ant's body? Can you imagine that? Now in the ant's body you'd still be the same individual you were before. You could still think like you used to. And you could still feel like you used to feel. But obviously some of the other things you did as a person would be impossible for you to do now as an ant. Now this is about the best example--albeit corny!--that I can come up with to explain Christ's Incarnation. It's kind of like you or I becoming an ant. But our Lord had to humble Himself a trillion times over more than that. In our case we'd be a created being becoming another created being. While in Jesus' case He was the Eternal Creator becoming one with His creation. And the Word became flesh. *** Now I couldn't help but think that this action of our Lord in the Incarnation says alot about these bodies of ours. Remember the very form you inhabit this morning including your mind, will, emotions and spirit--a body composed just like yours once housed the living God. Is it any wonder then that the Psalmist declares... I will give thanks to Thee [O God], for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well (Ps. 139:14)? My brothers and sisters, the human body from the very beginning was made to be inhabited by the Lord. It was expressly designed by Him for that very purpose. This is the message of the Incarnation. And this is also the message of the Scriptures. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says that... ...[We] are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them..." (2 Cor. 6:16b). So is God filling your "temple" today? Is He really? Or is there a vacancy sign outside the door? And the Word clothed Himself with humanity. *** And not only did He do this, but He also lived with mankind. III. THE WORD LIVED WITH MANKIND. Again, our text says that... ...[God] dwelt among us... (John 1:14a). Now I believe that these two terms, "dwelt" and "among," were carefully selected by John when He wrote this verse. By using them he was able to express a very important point about how our Lord lived while He was here. The Word "dwelt among us." To dwell means "to make one's home [with]" (Webster's 192) as opposed to just passing through. And the term "among" means "surrounded by" as opposed to being above or apart from. The Word "dwelt among us." He made His home in the midst of mankind. One commentator puts it this way... Having taken upon [Himself] the nature of man, [Christ embraced] the place and condition of other men. Having taken a body of the same [mold] with ours, in it he came, and resided in the same world with us (Matthew Henry 1508). And though, due to sin the human race really should have been despised and discarded by God and rightly so, Jesus didn't come into the world to do that. Rather, Christ chose to surround Himself with men and women--to surround Himself with "sinners." When our Lord was here He didn't keep people at arms length. On the contrary, He was right up close and personal with everybody. And He treated all with the utmost respect and dignity. The Word lived with mankind. *** In the recent, highly-acclaimed motion picture, "Titanic," a typical scene of that day (and ours, for that matter!) was portrayed. The ship's aristocracy found themselves enjoying the best of accomodations--the most extravagant rooms, the most elegant tables for dinner, the most lavish food to eat (caviare!), etc.--while the "second class" passengers were relegated to a much lower set of circumstances. And what made this scene even more typical was that the "well-off" people treated others on the ship with contempt and disdain. They literally walked around with their "noses in the air" if you you know what I mean. Now when the Word of God came to earth He didn't act at all like this. In no way did Jesus ever display the attitude of an aristocrat. And we find this to be true even from His earliest days. At Christ's birth He chose to submit to the meanest of accomodations--His cradle was a manger in a cave. And during His upbringing Jesus elected to live in Nazareth of all places--an area that the people of His day looked down upon. (Do you remember how Nathanael said, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (Jn. 1:46). It's because the place was despised.) Now I guess our Lord could have chosen to do things differently. He could have acted like He was above people when He came (because He really was/is!). But that would've been completely out of character for Him. Our God isn't a God that acts selfishly like some men and women in this life with power and position do. That's why Christ determined to dwell among us and not over us. The Word lived with mankind. And how many of you know that as His followers it's vital for each of us to take the same position He took and not the one of walking around with our "noses in the air" towards people? May God deliver any one of His children today whose pattern it is to treat others with contempt and disdain. *** Now the final part of John's Christmas story I'd like to look at this morning is how... IV. THE WORD'S PURPOSE WAS AND IS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BEHOLD GOD IN ALL OF HIS GLORY. Again, our text in it's entirety declares... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... (Jn. 1:14a). "...[And] we beheld His glory...." In another place this same author writes... What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life--and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you... (1 Jn. 1:1-3a). Now it must've been the most amazing thing to literally view God in human form. Can you just picture that for a moment? Can you just imagine yourself as being one of the disciples who lived with the Lord Jesus (the Word of God!) on a daily basis? It must've have been nothing short of awesome. Wouldn't you agree? I mean to hear Christ's words personally (in "real time" for those of you who are computer users!) and to witness Jesus' miracles firsthand and to see His purity of heart and His goodness and His love in action--I mean no experience past, present or future for any of us can compare with it (except for when He comes back again!) *** But this was the Word's purpose when He came. That people might behold Him in all of His glory. That they might see Him to be the One from whom they could receive healing. That they might view Him to be the One from whom they could receive provision. That they might perceive Him to be the One from whom they could receive redemption. This was the Word's purpose when He came. To reveal Himself to men and women--to afford all people an opportunity to behold His glory. ***** Now how many of you understand that unless God decides to show Himself to a person that that same person will never see Him? Even the Scriptures attest to this fact. Except by His parents and a few others near to Him early on, Jesus, for the most part, went unrecognized--unrecognized as the Messiah, that is! And this went on for some thirty years of His life. No one really knew who Jesus was because He'd veiled Himself--His deity--in human flesh. Even his cousin, John the Baptist, needed a sign from God--a dove--at Christ's baptism to perceive who Jesus was (Jn. 1:31-34). And that event in itself was most significant with regards to what I'm talking about here. Because it was from that day forward that God in Christ declared that His desire was no longer to remain hidden from the masses. Though it still is the Lord's prerogative to reveal Himself to those He chooses, in our day God has purposed to show Himself to all men. There's not one person alive to whom the Lord doesn't want to make Himself known. And that includes you today! God wants you to behold His glory, dear one. He really does. But it first takes action on your part for it to happen. Whether you're a Christian or non-Christian you need to do something if you want to behold God's glory. And that something is this. You must turn your heart fully towards seeking Him. You must turn your heart fully towards seeking Him if you really want to see Jesus for who He is. In Jeremiah 29, speaking for God, the prophet states... "'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,' declares the Lord..." (Jer. 29:13-14a). So you see it's true. According to the Scriptures, those who pursue the Word with all that's in them will find Him. They'll truly behold the glory of God. They'll discover who Jesus really is. Are you interested in beholding more of the Lord's glory in your own life? Have you yet set aside a time to seek Christ with all your heart this holiday season? And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... (Jn. 1:14a). BACK TO HOME PAGE