John 1:15-18 Unveiling The God That Has Come To Live Among Us - Part 2

26.10.08 John 1:15-18 (NASB)

Audio Sermon File: John 1:15-18

Going Deeper: Study Guide

Unveiling The God That Has Come To Live Among Us - Part 2

Last week as we began our study on verse 14, we unfolded the amazing realities of the incarnation. That the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (v.14). God entered into this world in the person of Jesus Christ, specifically at one historic point in time and space by way of the incarnation. God has done this in a way that had never been done before and never has been done since. The incarnation reveals that God is present in our world and is working here.

The incarnation was foretold to Isaiah by God, and Isaiah recorded this prophecy approximately 700 years before it came to pass. The fulfillment is found in the New Testament in detail, in Matthew and Luke. What took place was that a virgin, named Mary, gave birth to a child which had been conceived not of human means, but was of the Holy Spirit. In other words, found in this child is no ordinary human being, but this child named Jesus, was God Himself with us here on earth. He was to be known as Immanuel which means - God with us !

The incarnation is critically important to us. The incarnation is God’s fulfillment of His plan of salvation to bring us back into a right relationship with God permanently. In so doing we may be freed from the guilt and shame caused by our sins; and the weight and penalty due to our sins may be permanently removed, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The main focus of last weeks sermon was the fact that Jesus Christ is 100% man. But we also kept things in balance by briefly recalling that Jesus Christ is also 100% God. To help us understand this concept better, theologians have termed this reality as the Hypostatic Union. Paul Enns gives us this definition - "the second person, the pre-incarnate Christ came and took to Himself a human nature and remains forever undiminished Deity and true humanity united in one person forever"

Let’s expand upon this definition - in other words through the incarnation, Jesus came to earth as a Person and not only or merely as a nature. The Word of God in His pre-incarnate state took on an additional nature, which was a human nature. The Word did not come and dwell in a particular human body like some kind of spirit possession. The Word came as a Person with the resulting union of the two natures, which is Deity and humanity - the God-Man, 100% God and 100% Man.

The two natures of Christ are never considered as a dual personality. "The two natures are inseparably united without mixture or loss of separate identity" (Enns). Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man forever, with 2 distinct natures. These 2 distinct natures are in one Person.

Sometimes we would evidence Jesus' human nature (He became tired, wept, got hungry, etc). And sometimes Jesus' Deity (He knew the hearts of men, forgave sin, healed). Whatever the realm, it was considered and attributed to His one Person, despite that He is 2 natures, God-Man. Jesus Christ is never considered a dual personality, but He is a single Person.

Let us summarize the facts of the Hypostatic Union:
1. There are 2 distinct natures in Jesus Christ - humanity and Deity
2. Even though there are 2 natures in Jesus Christ, He remains as one Person
3. In Christ the 2 natures are never mixed or intermingled

This is the awesome wonder of the incarnation, 2 distinct natures -100% man and 100% God; all in one Person - inseparably united, and not mixed or intermingled in any way. This is why Jesus Christ is the perfect Man without sin, and therefore the only perfect sacrifice in place of the penalty we deserve for our sin.

This is the incarnation, and as in the last part of verse 14 of John chapter 1, the Apostle describes this reality as - full of grace and truth.

The Hypostatic Union describes the realities of the incarnation, which is the fullest manifestation of God’s grace and God’s truth. The incarnation shows fully the extent of God’s compassion, favour, love, faithfulness, and goodwill upon the pinnacle of His creation. In no other way will this event be duplicated in human history, that the truth and reality of God, has been perfectly displayed in Jesus Christ.

As we complete the prologue of this gospel we will find that the Apostle John further unveils the reality of the incarnation by giving us - 1. The Witnesses of the Incarnation (v.15-16)and 2. The Purpose of the Incarnation (v.17-18)

1. The Witnesses of the Incarnation

v.15 - John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, `He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' "

The Apostle John after he makes a brief introduction to the incarnation of the Word, Jesus Christ - makes a brief comment referring back to "The Witness to the Light" - John the Baptist. The Apostle even directly quotes John the Baptist’s words. The author of the Gospel does this in order to re-establish the relationship between the Word and the Baptist.

We must keep in mind that in terms of elapsed time, John the Baptist gave his witness concerning Jesus Christ more than 50 years prior, since the Gospel was written between AD 80-90. John the Baptist had been beheaded a long time ago. But the Apostle John is saying of John the Baptist, that he testified to Jesus Christ, and his witness is still valid and continuing into the future. John the Baptist cried out and his words even are true and effective today, even though he spoke them nearly 2000 years ago.

What was the point of John the Baptist? His point was that he was now able to make a positive identification of the Messiah, Jesus Christ the Son of God. Before this He only pointed to the coming Light in a general way. But now the Baptist could specifically point directly at the Son of God and say - This was He. John the Baptist knew who the incarnate Son of God was because God identifies His Son as we find later in verse 33-34: "I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, `He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' "I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God."

Now that John the Baptist could positively identify the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, John expresses his humble position in relationship to the incarnate Word.

In the Ancient Near East, those who were born first enjoyed the respect, superiority, and privileges of their seniority. John the Baptist was born six months (Lk. 1:26, 36) before Jesus, so according to the customs, he would
be viewed as commanding more respect than Jesus Christ. But John the Baptist states the opposite and affirms the priority of the incarnate Word. John the Baptist humbly declares without any question that the Word, Jesus Christ, though coming after John - is higher rank (ie: pre-eminent) and existed before the Baptist (ie: the Word was eternally pre-existent).

By declaring that the Word became flesh in v.14, and then quoting John the Baptist’s own testimony, the Apostle John sets up the framework for the clear connection that he is about to make for his readers. The connection is that the incarnate Word is none other than Jesus Christ.

As in the start of the prologue of the Gospel, in verse 1, the Apostle declares "In the beginning was the Word…" - now according to the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation, the Apostle declares that the Word has become incarnate among men.

By way of application we see implicit in verse 15, that John the Baptist is a very humble servant of the Lord. He had the privileges that his society bestowed because of his seniority, but he willingly refused to let them get in the way of serving God. We find that time and time again - God desires to find humble servants that will not put themselves above Christ. God honours those who remain humble before Him. As for the proud, they only bring glory to themselves, and the humble always bring glory to God.

In verse 16 to the end of the Gospel’s prologue at verse 18, the Apostle John expands on what he began in verse 14. Once again John includes himself among all the believers that have personally experienced the living Christ - in this statement by using "we." What has John the Apostle been witness to along with others of his time? He has been eyewitness to the incarnate Word’s "fulness." The word "fulness" in verse 16 is never used in the entire Gospel except here. It expresses that John has received from the incarnate Word, the full experience, of the reality of Deity, which is part of the Person of Jesus Christ. John has experienced the reality of Jesus Christ’s Deity and Humanity through the incarnation - God veiled in human flesh, was present before John.

This living encounter with the Living God, has been described as "grace upon grace." This emphasizes that those who have beheld His glory (v.14), have received the very characteristics that we as believers today have come to experience about God - that is God’s gracious mercy and loving-kindness. In Jesus Christ, what Jeremiah expressed in Lamentations 3 is fully and personally known. Lamentations 3:21-26 states: "This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. [They] are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. [It is] good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord."

God’s grace for us today, as believers in Jesus Christ, is seen in increasing measure as we mature in life and Christ. Even though we have not yet physically seen Jesus Christ personally, we have received from Him blessing after blessing. The greatest grace we have experienced is the salvation that Christ has brought into our lives. This gift included the forgiveness of our sins and the grace of imparted eternal life with God… a hope that never fades but will be realized. Grace upon grace - what an awesome reality that God’s storehouse of grace is never exhausted, and each day brings an abundance of new divine graces. Let us always be fully aware of God’s graces in our lives and thank Him for each and every one.

2. The Purpose of the Incarnation

In contrast to the grace found in the incarnate Word, it is now contrasted to the Law. The Law of Moses was given to the people of Israel, to show the people that God was a Holy God and that He demands that His people be holy too. Yet through the keeping of the Law, no one could keep up with all the laws, they could not measure to the righteous standards that God had called for. So in the grace of God, the Law served as a tutor. It taught man the fact that he cannot keep the Law on his own, due to his sinfulness. In fact as a person compared his life to the standard of the Law, it showed him how much more of a sinner he really even knew he was. So through the provision of the Law, man saw his need of a Saviour from the demands of, and the penalty of not being able to keep the Law, and that Saviour is the incarnate Word Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1-11 affirms these truths:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God [did:] sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and [as an offering] for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able [to do so]; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you."

As one author writes - 'Yes, the Law was given through Moses, and was in no way imperfect or evil, but in God’s sovereign plans; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.'

The Apostle once again uses the term "grace and truth," here in verse 17. The first time these 2 words were used was back in verse 14, in reference to the incarnate Word. The incarnation, is the fullest manifestation of God’s grace and God’s truth. The incarnation shows fully the extent of God’s compassion, mercy, favour, steadfast love, faithfulness, reliability, integrity, and goodwill upon the pinnacle of His creation. In no other way in the past or in the future has the truth and reality of God, been perfectly displayed except in the incarnate Word.

Up to this point in the prologue, we have been equating the Word, with Jesus Christ, though the individual verses that we have studied did not say this. But now, in verse 17, we do have the positive identification of the incarnate Word. It is the first time in the Gospel that the author, the Apostle John, specifically identifies who the incarnate Word is.

The Apostle John makes the positive link with the 2 words "grace and truth," first found in verse 14 in reference to the incarnate Word. Please look down at verse 14…and we may ask this question in verse 14 - "Who is the One that is full of grace and truth?" The answer would be "the Word [that] became flesh and dwelt among us."

Now if we look down at verse 17 - we may ask this question - "In whom was grace and truth revealed?" And the answer is - in Jesus Christ. Therefore "The Word [that] became flesh and dwelt among us," is none other than Jesus Christ.

The designation Jesus Christ is composed of a human name, plus a title. The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua. The meaning of the name is "salvation of YHWH." The title of "Christ," is also the Greek version for the Hebrew word "Messiah," which means "anointed one." It was in the Ancient near East that kings and priests underwent the act of anointing, to establish the fact that there was a spiritual dimension to the office. The anointed one was to be God’s representative to carry out God’s plans. So it was a fitting double title - for in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation from our sins that God prescribes; and Jesus Christ has been the long awaited anointed one, who will perfectly fulfill the role of God’s representative and perfect ruler.

The Apostle only used this double title twice in his Gospel, and it is fitting to use it here, at the climax of the prologue. By so doing the Apostle rightly elevates his beloved Lord and Saviour - Jesus Christ - God’s promised One, to His rightful place.

So for us to understand this reality we are confronted with these soul searching questions: Who is Jesus Christ to you? and How will you respond to Him today?

In light of the prophecy of the incarnation in the OT, Isaiah rightly responds to the coming incarnate Christ and ascribes to Him glory and honour, in chapter 9 of Isaiah: "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of [His] government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this."

The Apostle closes off the prologue in verse 18 the same way that he began it , with the focus upon God together with the Word. Yet, John reveals the whole purpose of the incarnation. The purpose of the incarnation is that those who once were in darkness can now have life and light through the knowledge of the truth of the Word [that] became flesh and dwelt among us (v14) - Jesus Christ.

Since God is Spirit- no one has seen God at any time. Even Moses who was known to speak with God "face to face," and saw "the form of the Lord," yet this was not, in any way, all the fullness of God. God did reveal Himself in glorious ways, but it was still not a complete and full revelation. It is clear that in the OT, that God cannot be seen and if God’s fullness would be seen by man, who being a sinner, he would be immediately consumed by death. As Moses asked to see God’s glory this was God’s reply in Exodus 33:20 - "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" Yet, now it is through the incarnation of the Word of God that God is fully revealed.

Not only is God fully revealed, but He is also now able to be known personally, through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is "the only begotten God" meaning that He is solely the "one-of-a-kind God." There are no others besides Him before of after or to come. The Word incarnate is without equal and this statement affirms the Deity of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the God-Man - 100% God and 100% Man in One Person.

The level of closeness between God the Father and God the Son is expressed by the description that Jesus Christ dwells "in the bosom of the Father," in verse 18. This phrase conveys a mutual level of intimacy, love, and knowledge. It is this aspect of relationship which enables Jesus Christ to know about the deep things of God. Likewise through Jesus Christ, we are able to know Jesus Christ personally in a life changing relationship, and as a result we are then also able to know God personally. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and as such, Jesus Christ being very God "has explained Him" - i.e. - explained God. From the word "explained" in the last part of verse 18, we get the word "exegesis." Exegesis is to "draw out, explain, make known, or reveal something."

So we could say that "Jesus Christ is the exegesis of God" (DA Carson) - meaning that in Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension we are able to know God because Jesus Christ has told us - related the truth of God - explained what the Father is like - made known to us that which was hidden in God - and revealed the fullness of God to man through the pages of Scripture. One writer expresses it like this: "As Jesus gives life and is life, raises the dead and is the resurrection, gives bread and is bread, speaks truth and is the truth, so as He speaks the word He is the Word" (CH Dodd).

As the prologue now comes to an end we find that the whole purpose and emphasis is placed upon revealing the Word as the absolute and conclusive disclosure of God Himself. Jesus Christ the Word incarnate came to seek out sinners, so that we could be delivered from our sinful spiritual bankruptcy, and then to be able to know the fullness of the grace and truth of God.

The overarching theme of John is pervasive in the prologue - "these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (20:31).

Jesus Christ is worthy to praised. Jesus Christ is Immanuel - God with Us.

I leave you with these truths from the letter to the Philippians, chapter 2:5-11:

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(For a full explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - click here - http://www.doihaveeternallife.blogspot.com/)
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