Incarnate means to embody or represent a deity in human form, or to put an idea into concrete form: Latin 'made flesh.' The Incarnation in Christian Theology is the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle John states:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being...And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 1-3, 14)
The WORD or Greek logos, means a word as embodying an idea, or the expression of a thought. Jesus Christ re-presents or embodies the idea of the Divine. "This is what God is like." Paul explains to the Colossians, "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body."(Col. 2:9 NLT) Luke confirms that Jesus Christ was no ordinary baby in his account in the gospels:
"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"( Matthew 1:23)
Isaiah prophesied that this sign would not just be the miracle of a baby being born to a virgin, but that GOD'S OWN SON would be sent by His Father in human form to rule and establish a reign of peace! For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will
be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:2
John said Jesus Christ would show mankind the greatest love that ever existed.
He would live a perfect life, minister to the broken, die as the
ultimate sacrifice for all of our sin once and for all, and rise from
the dead to give us hope for eternal life. He would not condemn us, but
use His life as a ransom to save us! (John 3:16-17)
We are great at imagining the baby Jesus, and good with Christ on the cross. But do we really believe GOD Himself is with us? How would our lives change if we did? What if we believed He was not only WITH us, but IN us? (John 14:17) What if we are here to live out the incarnation as sons and daughters of God? to represent the idea of what God is like to the world!
A wonderful discussion to have with your family this holiday season! We pray that You will experience Him as IMMANUEL in your life today and always!
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