As we focus on the birth of Jesus Christ at this time of the year, I invite you to consider three remarkable statements about Him in the Bible, which emphasise what He had to BECOME to be our Saviour:
‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.’ John chapter 1 verse 14.

John begins his Gospel by revealing that Jesus is the eternal Son of God: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ John chapter 1 verses 1-2.
Why then did He BECOME FLESH?

In order to defeat sin in the sphere where it reigns, i.e. in the flesh. Paul wrote, ‘For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells’ Romans chapter 7 verse 18. Such words could never be said of Jesus Christ. He ‘was manifested (revealed) in the flesh’ 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16, but He was born holy and incapable of sin. He is the only Man to have defeated sin in the flesh; therefore, He was able to take God’s judgment for sin on the cross.

In the light of this truth, Jesus became flesh, so that He could die for our sin. God is Spirit, John chapter 4 verse 24 and cannot die; therefore, Peter tells us that Jesus was ‘put to death in the flesh’, 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 18.

The fact that Jesus became flesh and died for us, means that there is now a risen Man in heaven, seated upon God’s throne. We need a Man in this position, who understands fully what it means to pass through this scene and, therefore, can represent us before God. We can also approach Him and find help in times of need: ‘For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted’ Hebrews chapter 2 verse 18.

Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the new-born King”
Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel