Word became flesh! (Pt.1)

(Part 1)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”-John 1:1.

It would be hard to find another passage of scripture that elevates and promotes the significance of the Word of God more than this one. This passage tells us that Jesus embodies the Word of God. He is the Living Word and if that concept isn’t mind blowing enough, God does something that would radically change the course of history. He put feet to the gospel:

“And the Word became 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 wrapped the Word in flesh and sent the Word to us in human form, that we might behold His glory. God mobilized the gospel! 

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”-Romans 10:14-15

Throughout history there have been some amazing moments that have helped to mobilize the Word of God. From 1382-1395, John Wycliff translated the first English Bible by hand. In the 1450s, Gutenberg’s printing press opened the doors to mass printings of the scriptures and from 1550-1650, the Protestant Reformation saw the Bible translated into some 400 languages. 

Nevertheless, when God sent Jesus in the flesh to dwell among us, He was modeling the most effective method of mobilizing the Word of God. Wrap the word and flesh and let it dwell among the people. In the Message Bible, John 1:1 reads like this: “The Word become flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” Here’s the question, “When you moved into your neighborhood, did the Word of God move in with you?” 

Should we not, like Christ, be the living word among our friends and neighbors? Are we not suppose to be the word dwelling among the people? 

Jesus spent his entire adult ministry sowing the Word of God into twelve men who He would then send out to the surrounding towns and villages to stay in people’s homes (Luke 9:4). In Luke 10, He sent out 72 others with the same instructions. He filled them with the Word of God and then He sent them out to dwell among the people. 

Why? John 1:14 explains that the reason God sent the Word wrapped in flesh is so that we could see the glory of God and experience His grace and truth. God wanted the people to experience Him right where they lived; in their own homes, workplaces, and communities. Even if a person never graced the doors of a church, they could experience the grace of God right in their own neighborhood. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church