Real

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. John 1:14 NKJV

Many years ago, on a visit to California, Janice and I ate lunch at The Hogs Breath Inn at Carmel-By-The-Sea owned by Clint Eastwood. While we didn't catch sight of Eastwood, we saw Rob Reiner followed by a small entourage shooting street scenes. We'd seen him on television and in the movies, but the actual person was in front of us. Somehow the viewing of Reiner made him more real.

Instead of establishing the earthly lineage of Christ, like in Luke and Matthew, John announces Jesus' heavenly line. The personage of the Trinity, Jesus, was sent by the Father. God himself became flesh!

Before this, God had acted through angels and spoken directly to a few people, but now he had come in the same form as you and me. Like us, he experienced hunger, thirst, exhaustion, grief, and pain. The great mystery that surrounded God became real.

The laws he had given us to follow at Mt. Sinai showed us how to put them into practice. He became the living law, demonstrating compassion, mercy, and love. He made the blind physically and spiritually see the lame walk, offered forgiveness, and commanded the dead to rise.

Through his teaching, we learned what is essential and the things to let go. Justice, mercy, and love are imperative; fear and worry are unnecessary. He taught us first to love him and then to love everyone else–even those who are unlovable.

God made flesh came with another purpose–to redeem us from sin, offering himself as the unblemished lamb on the altar of the cross so our sins could be forgiven. He descended into the depths of hell and ascended so that we might experience new life, a life that frees us from the chains of sin.

Father, we thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ. Through his life, we received a glimpse of your glory made real. You are not an impersonal Being living far away but dwell among us. By the Holy Spirit, you live within us and guide our footsteps. May we focus on those things that are important and release those things that are not. In all things, let us reflect the glory of Jesus. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim