John 1:14-18
By: Alexander Rico
How many times, have we heard from our society state, “This God knows nothing about me, nor does he even know what I am going through!” I personally, have heard this on several different occasions while witnessing to people. They seem to think that God has never experienced what we have here on earth; these claims, according to the gospel of John, are shown to be false. John tells us clearly, that, “…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” He knows what it is like for us. He was tempted, he was weary, and he even felt pain, immense pain.
Why is this statement important in the book of John? Is it because John wants us to understand that Jesus knows what we are going through? Or, is it because John wants us to sympathize for our savior? I think it is because John wants us to know that Jesus understands our struggles and our pains. He was here; he became flesh and dwelt with us. What does that tell you? Does that sound like a God who does not care about you? Does that sound like a God who does not understand your pains? I highly doubt it! I think this is a loving and caring God who understands our problems, and wants to comfort us.
You may be saying, well, that’s good and all to say about this particular passage; however, where is the proof that he in fact faced the same physical dilemmas as I do. Well, in the gospel of Luke, we are told an account of a trip across a lake. When they set sail, Jesus became tired and went to sleep (Luke 8:22-23). In yet another account there in the gospel of Luke, Jesus goes to stay at the house of the tax collector, Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5). In the gospel of Mark, Jesus feels the pain of rejection from those in the city of Nazareth, his home town (Mark 6:1-6). Also in Mark’s gospel in chapter one verses twelve through thirteen, we read that Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. In the gospel of John, where we are studying today, we read of an encounter with a Samaritan woman, and how He was thirsty (John 4:7); and finally, the pain and rejection he faced while he hung on that cross (Matthew 27:26-56). Though, there are many more examples throughout the New Testament of Christ’s human form.
Does this sound like a God who doesn’t understand, nor know anything about what we fight with daily? Remember, he was tempted as many of us are today. The only difference being how he combated that temptation. When he was tempted, he automatically fired back with the Word of God, the Bible!
What does this show to us? Well, Jesus being flesh, and dwelling among us served two main purposes: The first being that through his life span on earth, he taught those who were his followers the ways of the Lord. All four gospels note several parables, “a brief, simple story told to illustrate a moral or religious truth,” which Jesus had taught them while on this earth. Why? Well, have any of you ever picked up a little kids story book anytime during your current age? If so, you know that these cute little stories about bears and strange creatures from other planets serve a purpose don’t they? Through reading them, little kids are able to grasp hard concepts of life. They learn to be friendly with others who may be a different shade of color then them, and also learn to show integrity in all that they do. See, at this time, Jesus used parables to illustrate too many of his followers (some being fishermen) about the characteristics of their father in heaven. He tied their jobs into these illustrations, and they were able to understand what was right in God’s eyes, and what was not.
Secondly, Jesus’ life on earth helps us to know that when we are going through something, we can call upon Jesus to comfort us, because he has felt our pain, and grief.
Jesus also came to earth to redeem mankind. Through his sufferings, and pain, we are saved from sin and death, which were brought about by Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden. In the Old Testament times, lambs were sacrificed for the covering of sin (not for the total redemption of sin). In the New Testament Jesus became our sacrificial lamb, and totally redeemed us of our sins. (past, present, and future).
How do we receive this salvation? I once heard this story about a Sunday school class. During the class, the teacher asked, “Now class, what must we do to be forgiven of our sins?” A young boy in the back row stood up and shouted, “We must sin!” As funny as this may sound, it is not the case. We must first confess that we are sinners, be willing to make a turn around and head the right way, and finally, accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for you and me.
Therefore, from this passage in the gospel of John, we can see that Christ’s life on earth was important because he showed us, as believers today, how to live a life that is pleasing to our heavenly father, that He understands our pains, and our experiences; and also, that through Him we can have our sins forgiven, and that hope of an eternal life with Him in heaven.
Today, believe in the redemption that God has given to us through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13, NKJV) When you accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for you and me, you become an adopted child of the living God. Sure, I am not going to lie, the road ahead will be bumpy; however, it will be a great blessing that you nor anyone else could ever experience on this world. If you’d like to accept Christ today; then, by all means please join me in this simple prayer asking Jesus into your heart, mind, and soul.
“Lord Jesus, I ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Lord, I ask that you help me to be that witness, that light in my community for you from now on. Help me to turn away from the ways of the world, and get my focus directly on you. In your precious name I pray, Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer along with me, I’d like to announce that today, the moment you accepted Christ into your life the Bible says, “[…] there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner represents.” (Luke 15:10) Just like that, you are forgiven and are adopted into God’s family. Though, there are steps to continue in maintaining your relationship with the Lord. These being:
- Read the Bible- This is God’s love letter to you. It also provides us with a foundation for relationships with others, and tells us about attitudes, motivation and truth. It is important to know, and enlist the principles in the Bible into your life, they keep you on the right way and allow us to make sound judgments concerning people and doctrine.
- Pray- In any relationship communication is important, priority factor. God desires to communicate with each of us. Prayer is not just a forum for requests. God wants to hear our feelings, hurts, ambitions and joys. Through this he is able to change and refine those parts of us that need it.
- Fellowship- Get plugged into a church or local group that studies the bible. As we begin to share with others what we have learned from the Bible and prayer, we encourage others to grow and ourselves. Fellowship as God planned it is not a clique or special club designed for gossip. We must be careful to keep our conversations with others honest. It’s best described as a fire. One coal alone dies down quickly, but a mound of coals burn white hot, just as one Christian alone will struggle to stay ‘on fire’, while a group together keeps each other hot.
- Witness- “Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). Jesus gave this as a command, not an option. God has chosen all Christians to be agents of His gospel. We are either missionaries or mission fields. That does not mean that everyone should travel to different countries, but it does mean that no matter where go we should be prepared in life and in word to be ambassadors for Christ. “Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:19)
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