The Word Became Flesh | John 1:14 |Dr. Randy White | December 24, 2023
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This sermon focuses on the physical aspects of the incarnation, what Jesus came to do in the flesh.
The Glory of Redemption (Matthew 1:21) -
The Angel's Promise of Salvation: In Matthew 1:21, the angel's message to Joseph about Jesus highlights the mission of Jesus to save His people (Israel) from their sins.
Israel's Repeated Rejection of the Law: The nation often strayed from God's commandments. Despite being chosen or elect, Israel's relationship with God was marked by cycles of disobedience and repentance.
Limitation of the Law: While the Law, as given through Moses, offered standards for righteous living and procedures for atonement, it functioned effectively only for those who adhered to it, as seen in individuals like Zechariah and Elizabeth. However, its limitation was particularly evident in its inability to provide a remedy for those who outright rejected it. Unlike cases of sin where atonement was possible through prescribed sacrifices and rituals, the Law offered no solution for persistent and willful rejection of its precepts.
Jesus as a National Sacrifice: Like the “scape goat” at the Day of Atonement, Jesus would be the national sacrifice, enabling Him to “save his people from their sins.”
Jesus as the Lamb of God: John 1:29 expands Jesus' mission to a universal scale. John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" indicates that Jesus' sacrificial role was not limited to Israel but was meant for the entire world.
Prophetic Foreshadowing of the Messiah's Role: Old Testament passages like Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Daniel 9:24-26 are prophetic indications of the Messiah's role in overcoming sin. These passages speak of a new covenant and the forgiveness of sins, hinting at a transformative act that addresses the root issue of Israel’s sin.
The Glory of Royal Majesty (Luke 1:32-33, Matthew 2:2, Acts 1:6)
Proclamation as "King of the Jews": This title embodies both an ethnic dimension, signifying Jesus' ties to the Jewish people, and a physical aspect, reflecting an earthly kingship rooted in Jewish Messianic expectations.
Persistent Anticipation of Davidic Rule: The promise of Jesus as the heir to David's throne is a recurrent theme, evident in:
His Birth (Luke 1:32-33, Matthew 2:2): Angelic pronouncements and inquiries from foreign dignitaries at Jesus' birth underscored this expectation.
His Crucifixion: The inscription above Jesus on the cross, declaring Him "King of the Jews," albeit in a context of mockery, reaffirms this identity.
His Ascension (Acts 1:6): The disciples' inquiry about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel at Jesus' ascension reflects the ongoing hope for the fulfillment of Davidic kingship.
Contemporary Christian Perspectives on Jesus' Kingship. In much of modern Christianity, there's a tendency to emphasize the spiritual and universal aspects of Jesus' ministry, sometimes overlooking the specific, physical promises associated with His role as the Jewish Messiah. Alternatively, some Christian interpretations have adopted a replacement theological stance, interpreting the promise of Jesus' kingship as a mandate for the Church's earthly rule, as seen in historical contexts like the Holy Roman Empire or certain forms of dominion theology.
The Glory of Deliverance (Luke 1:71)
Incarnation for Israel's Liberation: The Messiah’s incarnation was directly intended for Israel's deliverance, fulfilling God’s historical and prophetic promises to the nation. His coming in human form is a pivotal event that links the fulfillment of these divine promises to the physical presence of the Messiah.
Ongoing Fulfillment of Prophecy: Not all aspects of the deliverance prophesied in Luke have been fully realized. The Messianic promise, particularly regarding Israel’s national restoration and complete deliverance, is part of an unfolding eschatological plan.
Recognizing The Complete Mission: If we do not recognize the “save from enemies” aspect of the Messiah’s mission, we fail to fully appreciate the meaning of the incarnation. If we do not look to the future fulfillment, then we make Zechariah a false prophet.
The Glory of Divine Peace (Luke 2:14) -
Ultimately, the Messiah’s incarnation brings peace on earth. The nations have tried desperately to do this without the Messiah and have always failed miserably.
Others have tried to bring peace that is through the spiritual presence of the Savior and have failed miserably. Others have insisted “Peace on earth” just means “peace in your heart,” and this fails to take the text seriously.
His promised coming was as, “goodwill toward men.” By changing one letter in the Greek, some translations read “good will toward men with whom He is pleased. This builds on the doctrine that believes that God hates man and wants to punish him. The majority of translations, including the one received by the church until the days of German rationalism and the textual criticism to which it gave birth, have a universal good will of God toward man, and display it in the incarnation as announced by angels. Isaiah 11:6-9 tells us this extends to all the created order.
Conclusion
This sermon has focused on what Messiah does in the flesh. It is offensive to much of the Christian world, which chooses a “spiritual” Jesus rather than a physical Jesus. So why am I focusing on these physical things? Because that is what the incarnation is about. “He became flesh.” God as spirit could have accomplished the spiritual. God as flesh accomplishes earthly.
