The Word Made Flesh

John's Gospel opens with these words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that has been made" (John 1:1-3). John gives an interesting prologue to his first century readers.

The Greeks were obsessed with knowledge and philosophy. The measure of a man was his ability to produce ideas, discuss the noumena behind the phenomena or the concept behind the reality. It was Plato who said, "Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy... the human race will never have rest from their evils" (Republic 5.473d-e). The Greeks worshipped great thinkers and orators.

The Romans spoke of power and might and world domination, which would usher in the "Pax Romano" or Roman peace. Strength and honor were their hallmark. "Hail Caesar" was the command as his legions overpowered any and all who would not submit to his power. They worshipped power as they worshipped the Roman Emperor. They had gods for everything; even Caesar was god.

The Jews had their "Festival of Lights" and their common toast as they raised their glasses was "le chaim" or "to life." They had all but given up on the promised Messiah. They looked, as it were, through the eyes of the Greeks and Romans, for a wise and powerful political savior.

This prologue of John's Gospel was meant to confound all people groups with a unique word to all. To the Greek, he was the quintessential "logos" or word. To the Roman he was the ultimate power. There was nothing created that was not created by Him. He spoke the universe into existence. To the Jew, he was both light and life (John 1:4). Sadly, all three groups missed him, because they looked with eyes of flesh.

"The word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). It was this Master of all ideas and thoughts, this powerful One who can think or speak things into being (Genesis 1), this light of the world who is said to have been "face to face" with God the Father in intimate communion and complete self-enjoyment. It was this God, who became flesh. He became a Man on a mission, as we say.

This was no ordinary mission; he came as John the Baptist declares in John 1:29, as a sacrificial lamb, who would take away the sin of the world. The One who has seen God (John 1:18), has exegeted, or expounded him in his own life and death. Would you seek wisdom, would you observe power, would you behold life and light, would you come to God? Look to the One who became flesh. Learn that His power is made perfect through suffering and weakness. This Christmas season, seek and worship the wisest, most powerful life, who faced death for you and for me.

John Roberts