What does John 1; 14 mean?

In fact many people out there have a poor understanding of what it truly means that the word became flesh. But in this short article, I will explain what it truly means that the Word described in the book of John was made flesh and dwelt among us.

In the book of John, it is written: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth-- John 1; 14

The Greek word for "Word" in this text is "Logos"and it means, "reason, thought, message, speech, Word". Let us examine the passage itself from verse 1 to gain a deeper understanding of the mind of the author

John 1: 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

The Greek word for, "Word" in this verse is "Logos". The Word was there with God, and the Word according to the apostle was God himself. So we can see that the Word and God are distinct, yet have equal divine essence.

John 1: 3

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

In this verse, the author makes it plain that creation itself came into being through the Word confirming what the psalmist wrote: By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host-- Psalm 33; 6. Creation came into existence through the Word, not as a subordinate agent, but as a principal agent with God the father in creation.

And in the verse 14, we are told that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us". It means that God's thought was made flesh, his speech took on flesh. It means that God's message which in time past, he communicated to his people through prophets at various times and seasons and in different dispensations was manifested in the flesh.

The Word who is God, and equal with God clothed himself with a human nature and tabernacled among us. Under the law, God dwelt in the holy of holies and often manifested his shekinah in between the cherubims on the mercy seat. But at the fullness of time, God took on flesh and dwelt among us, in the person of Jesus Christ. God no longer lives in temple made with human hands, but lived among us and now lives in us-- 1 Corinthians 6; 19

The text continued: we saw his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth 

Beloved, Jesus the incarnate Word manifested his glory in many ways. He showed forth his glory through his miraculous deeds, at his transfiguration, even his substitutionary death and bodily resurrection are also manifestations of his glory. 

Jesus is also said to be the "only begotten from the father". The Greek word for "only begotten" is the word "monogenes" and it means "one and only". So Jesus being the only begotten of the father does not imply that he was created, rather it means that he is the only Son who possesses equal divine nature with the father and in the same class with him.

Jesus is also full of grace and truth. Jesus is the embodiment of grace, for by his grace we are saved, forgiven, freely justified and we shall be saved from the wrath to come. He is the truth of God's promises and prophecies as well. He is also the truth of the gospel which can save a sinner free from the domineering power of sin and death. 

Someone might ask this intelligent question, that why did the Word took on flesh and dwelt among us in the first place?

He took on flesh and lived among us that he might offer himself as a sacrifice to redeem us from our sins. He came on earth as a little babe, he grew up and died on the cross to satisfy God's wrath against sin, so that God can be propitious towards us, and to forever reconcile us to himself (Romans 5). 

So why do we celebrate Christmas? We celebrate it to remember a time in human history that the "Word" clothed himself with flesh and lived in our midst with the sole purpose of saving us unto himself by means of his vicarious death. As we celebrate this Christmas season, let us celebrate it in love, often remembering the reason for the celebration. Jesus incarnation, his sufferings, his death and the subsequent blessings we have received should be the focal point in the celebration of this Christmas season. God bless you and Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 to you all

A thought to ponder 🤔 

 Jesus incarnation, his sufferings, his death and the subsequent blessings we have received should be the focal point in the celebration of this Christmas season

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel

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