The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

John 1:14 

The introduction to John’s gospel is remarkable. First of all nothing is like it in all of the gospels. It is poetic. It is beautiful. It speaks in a picturesque way of the Word coming into our world to be our light and our life. It speaks of the only One who could and would make us heirs of the Kingdom of God entitled to all its rights and privileges. 

But it is remarkable in another respect. It reminds us that what John is giving is a testimony. It is what he personally has seen with his eyes. It is what he has heard with his ears. It is what he has lived and breathed first hand. It is his written record as to what he experienced. 

How excited he must be to share this with us through the generations of believers that have followed. You can see it in the words, The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. What a beautiful thought. The God of all creation came down in human form and chose to tent with us as the true translation attests. Jesus came to live with Peter, James, and John and hundreds of disciples, to live with them in their day-to-day lives. He is not a God who is distant. He is not a God who does not understand our struggle. He is a God who came to take on sin head on by becoming one of us. 

Notice how John describes Jesus at the end of this verse. Jesus, the Word, is full of grace and truth. 

Grace. He is not a God who vindictively brings down His wrath on people. No, He is a God who offers a way of redemption from sin’s slavery. He is a God so loving that He willingly gives His own life on a cross to redeem our corrupted and warped lives. That is love that is unmerited. That is true grace. 

Truth. He does not simply ignore His own just demands. He does not simply ignore our sin, walking away as if it does not matter. The truth is it does. Yes, it does matter. It has separated us from the love of the Father. But so that truth will prevail, the Son offers His own life as the sacrifice to meet the demands of justice. Sin is not simply forgotten. It is covered in blood. 

This loving Savior; this illuminating Light, this resurrecting Life; still makes His dwelling among us. He comes to us in the word and waters of baptism. He revives us in the word and elements of Holy Communion. He strengthens, encourages, and converts with His word. He tents with us today. He will dwell with us forever. Blessings. 

Upcoming for Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ Friday, December 23 - Monday, January 2 No School - Christmas Break ❖ Tuesday, January 3 Return to School 

❖ Tuesday, January 10 End of Second Quarter 

❖ NOTE THAT THERE IS NO EARLY RELEASE ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22