The Gospel of John: John 1.14a

Read and meditate on John 1.14.
In the first part of his prologue (vv. 1-13), John presented the Word as eternal God, Creator, and bringer of life and light to men. He even said that “He came” among people. But he didn’t elaborate: How did He come among people? And what does it mean to receive Him? Or to become a son or daughter of God? What kind of birth is he talking about? John is provoking thoughts within us which the rest of his gospel will answer. The remaining verses of his prologue, verses 14-18, will give us still more details, but primarily with a view for piquing our interest to read on and learn more. The entire prologue represents a kind of prelude to a worldview, dropping hints, cuing up themes, and indicating motifs that will recur throughout the remainder of this book.

¹⁴The Word of God, the Light and Life of men,
Creator of all things in earth and heav'n,
took flesh unto Himself, became a Man, 
and dwelled among us in this ancient land.
And we have seen His glory, glory as of
the Only Begotten of the Father’s love,
and full of grace and truth.

- John 1.14

Reflect
1.  Recall all that John has told us thus far about this “Word of God.” What primary ideas does he want us to keep in mind about this Word? Complete this prayer: O Word of God, meet with me now and…

2.  The original Greek of John 1.14a reads, “And the Word flesh became…” John deliberately places “Word” and “flesh” together, with the verb following. He seems to be making a statement about the nature of this “becoming.” Can you see how this remark enlarges on what John wrote in verses 10 and 11? How is John adding to our thinking about the Word of God at this point? Lord, when Your Word becomes flesh in me…

3.  The Word of God is Creator, Life, and Light. He is God and was with God. And this Word became flesh. Given Who this Word is, how might we expect to see Him as a flesh-and-blood Person, walking around among the people of that day? Lord, if Your Word is in my walk and work today…

4.  John does not bother with the details surrounding the verb, became. By the time John was writing – probably toward the end of the first century – the other gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) were already in circulation. He did not feel it was necessary to restate what they reported about how the Word became incarnate. But suppose someone were to ask you. How would you explain more of the details of the Word’s becoming flesh? I rejoice, Lord, to recall how Jesus was born among us, because…

5.  Yet even that further explaining leaves us with a good many unanswered questions. The incarnation of the Word of God is a mystery – something we can understand, but not completely, and which we must accept by faith if we are to gain the benefit of it. Is living with mystery unique to the Christian faith? Do other people accept things by faith, that is, without understanding them completely, but just enough? Can you give some examples? Can we ever escape living by mystery – with incomplete understanding into things – in this life? Explain. Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“For just as our word in some way becomes a bodily sound by assuming that in which it may be manifested to the senses of people, so the Word of God was made flesh by assuming that in which he might be manifested to the senses of people. And just as our word becomes a sound and is not changed into a sound, so the Word of God indeed becomes flesh, but far be it from us that it should be changed into flesh. For by assuming it, not by being consumed in it, this word of ours becomes a sound, and that Word became flesh.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

The Word became flesh, but He did not cease being the Word. He was not changed into flesh, but became flesh, while yet remaining the Word of God. Do you find Augustine’s analogy helpful in understanding John’s meaning? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2.10-12

Psalm 2.9-12 (Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
To Christ the Lord be given all
Who humbly embrace Him and on Him call.
Be wise, be warned: His judgment comes
To break the prideful, sinful ones.

Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace,
And worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim:
How blessed are all who rest in Him!
                                                 
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.