John 1:14-18

The very word of God became man. He came to free us from sin and death. 

He chose to give His body up for us…no greater gift has ever been given. 

Jesus said that it was expedient that He leave and go to reside with the Father at His right hand so that He could send Holy Spirit to indwell us with His power to do what we cannot.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Thankfully, like the Israelite priests, we aren't responsible to share the gospel in isolation or our own power. Just as the priests lit the lamps every evening, the people provided the oil. (Exodus 27:20-21) This ensured the entire community played a role in shining the light. Today this reminds us, too, that while we have different roles to play, together we are called as God's unified Church to shine the light of Christ into darkness. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Oil also frequently symbolizes the Holy Spirit's anointing and empowering. Just as oil once provided the fuel enabling the tabernacle's lamp to shine, the Holy Spirit's anointing presence within us empowers us with everything we need to shine the light of God into our world. (Acts 1:8;  1 Corinthians 12:4-11) First5 

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV).

Make it your aim to walk in the Spirit by inviting him into the details of each day. Let this prayer be quick to come to your mind: “How am I to respond to this challenge, Lord?” Or, “Direct me, please. Which way should I go?” Pause and listen. Keep an ear inclined toward the Spirit.

For us not to consult the Spirit of God would be foolish. He is here to teach us, and our privilege is to stay in mindful communion with him. Day by day. Moment by moment. Listen as the divine instructor whispers wonders in your ear. Be assured that, as you smile, the Spirit smiles with you. After all, he is your teacher. Max Lucado

John 1:14-18

14 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. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. The New King James Version

The Word became flesh describes how the logos took on human form. This depiction of the logos as a personal being in human flesh is a reversal of the philosophical concept of the logos as an impersonal principle or force. The emphasis on the “flesh” could be an attempt to correct misunderstandings about the humanity of Jesus present in the early church. One of the earliest christological heresies from the second century ad was Docetism, which held that Jesus was fully divine and only appeared human and only appeared to die on the cross. The idea that divine beings could appear in human form was common in the ancient world, so John seems to take extra care to emphasize that Jesus was human, not that He merely appeared in human form. The later christological heresy of Arianism emphasized Jesus’ humanity at the expense of His divinity, claiming He was a created being. 

Through His Son, God is taking up a post among His people just as He had done for ancient Israel. His glory alludes to the manifestations of divine glory in the old testament. Yahweh’s presence could be found in the tabernacle or temple. 

Theophany in the Old Testament Doxa Word Study emphasizes that the glory of Jesus, the Word, is the same as the glory of God the Father. The Greek term monogenēs, meaning “one and only” carries the sense of uniqueness and special beloved status. John’s use of monogenēs foreshadows the emphasis on the intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father. Jesus is the unique and beloved Son of God, sent from God to fully represent the Father on earth and reveal the Father and His plan for salvation in a previously unparalleled way. The Son reflects the Father perfectly and perfectly carries out His will. The close relationship of Father and Son means their works and will are in perfect unity. 

Two central attributes of the divine character used throughout the old testament are steadfast love and faithfulness. Jesus embodies the ultimate expression of God’s covenant loyalty and unmerited favor toward the world that rejected Him.

John contrasts Moses with Jesus, emphasizing the superiority of the gospel of Christ to the law of Moses. Throughout his Gospel, John presents Jesus as the fulfillment of old testament expectations. Faithlife Study Bible

The Son of God who was from eternity became human, with limitations in time and space. This is the doctrine of the incarnation: God became human. Nothing of the essential nature of deity was lost in this event; we might rephrase became as “took to Himself.” John uses the word flesh to refer to the physical nature of humans, not to our sinful disposition. 

Dwelt comes from the Greek word for tent that was used in the Greek Old Testament for the tabernacle, where the presence of God dwelt. In the Old Testament glory refers to the divine presence. As God manifested His glory in the tabernacle, so Jesus displayed His divine presence before the apostles. 

Only begotten means unique, one of a kind. The same term is used of Isaac, who was not the only physical son of Abraham, but was the unique son of promise. 

All who trust Christ are born of God. In the Gospel of John, these “born ones” are called children of God, but Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. He is the only Son who is fully God. He is also full of grace and truth. When God revealed Himself to Moses, He proclaimed Himself to be “abounding in goodness and truth”. As applied to Jesus Christ, this phrase marks Him as the author of perfect redemption and perfect revelation. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.