The Word Became Flesh
Text: John 1:6-14
Core Idea: The Word became flesh – and He is the Light of the world. So, this season, don’t let the Light simply pass by you. Receive Him, trust Him, and come home to the Father who loves you and invites you into the light of His grace.
INTRODUCTION
Merry Christmas, Lighthouse. Let’s actually say that to our neighbors and welcome one another in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And before we continue, let me dismiss our children. We’ll see them again later, as they’ll come back to sing and help us celebrate the birth of Jesus together. Now, if you’re new here, we’re truly glad you’re with us. Thank you for choosing to spend this time with us. Whether this is your first time in a church or you’ve been around church your whole life, my prayer is the same: that you would come to see how beautiful and wonderful our God truly is. And as we open God’s Word and reflect on what Christmas really means, my hope is that you would experience the fullness of His love – the kind of love that meets us where we are, draws us out of darkness, and brings us into the light of Christ. Well, last week, we began Advent in the Gospel of John. And he took us all the way back to eternity past – before the manger, before history began, even before creation to show us who Jesus is. And we learned that He’s not merely the baby in the manger, a wise teacher with helpful sayings, or an inspirational figure in history. He’s the logos – the power that created the world, the wisdom that sustains the world, and the meaning that defines the world. He is the Eternal Word, the Life-Giving Word, and the Darkness-Breaking Word who stepped into our sin, our pain, and even our death to lead us into His marvelous light. This is why we should never reduce Christmas to a sentimental holiday – it should always lead us to worship. So, let me ask you: Have you done that this week? Is that how you’re preparing your heart for Christmas? Brothers and sisters, let’s shift our attention back to Christ today, for He is the reason we celebrate this season. Let’s not just add Him to our Christmas, but let’s center our Christmas on Him so that our joy and hope would flow from knowing who He truly is – not from everything competing for our attention. Now, if verses 1-5 showed us who the Word is, our passage today shows us what happened when that Word entered human history. So, with that in mind, let’s turn our Bibles to John 1:6-14 – and let me read this for us.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. 12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Amen. This is the Word of God for you today.
Let me point out three things from this passage:
· THE WORD ANNOUNCED
· THE WORD RECEIVED (OR REJECTED)
· THE WORD INCARNATE
1) THE WORD ANNOUNCED
Verse 6: “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” After opening his book by lifting our eyes to eternity, John now brings us down into history. He moves from who the Word is to how the Word is introduced to the world. And what’s striking is that he doesn’t start with the manger scene where angels sang, and shepherds rushed to worship. Instead, he introduces John the Baptist – the man whose ministry centered on calling people to repentance and baptizing those who responded in faith. At first, this can feel anticlimactic because we’re moving from the Creator of all things to a mere man. But this is intentional. John the Baptist is described as “a man sent from God” – which means that he wasn’t self-appointed. He didn’t wake up one day and decide to start a movement. His life and ministry were initiated by God Himself. And verse 7 tells us what he was sent to do: “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” John didn’t come to generate the Light – but to testify to the Light. He knew he was not the Light – he simply pointed people to the Light. And the goal was clear – verse 7, “So that through him, all might believe.” John knew he couldn’t save anyone nor create faith in people. But he trusted God to use his witness to awaken belief in others.
Now, why did God choose to introduce the Word this way? Because the truth is that God could’ve done it differently. He could’ve torn open the heavens, sounded trumpets across the earth, and declared from the sky, “He is the Messiah you’ve been waiting for,” so that there would be no confusion or debate as to who this baby was. In fact, if anyone deserved that kind of introduction, it was Jesus. But God didn’t do that – He sent John. Why? I thought of three reasons. First, God chose a human witness because He values faith, not coercion. Scripture shows that overwhelming displays of power do not automatically produce lasting faith. Israel saw the Red Sea split and still doubted in the wilderness. The crowds saw Jesus heal the sick and even raise the dead, and many still rejected Him. Even demons believe that God exists and tremble – but they do not trust Him. By sending John rather than spectacle, God was inviting people to respond in faith, not merely react in amazement or fear. Second, God chose humility over spectacle because it matches the way Christ came. Jesus did not arrive as a conquering king on a horse, but as a baby lying in a manger. He did not surround Himself with power and prestige but walked among the poor and the marginalized. In fact, the very means of our salvation, the cross, looked weak and foolish to the world. So, it fits that God would choose a humble messenger to announce a humble Savior. Mark 1:6 says, “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” By worldly standards, he was not impressive whatsoever. And yet, God used him because God delights to display His glory through weakness. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.” By choosing John, God was making it clear that salvation is His work alone. No one can say, “I believed because I was smarter, better, more sincere, more spiritual, or more open.” Faith becomes a humble response of the heart, not a reaction to force. Third, God chose John because this is how God ordinarily works in the world. Throughout Scripture, God uses human witnesses to announce divine truth. God could speak directly to every heart – but He chooses to speak through people. Romans 10:14-15 says, “How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Then, John the Baptist isn’t just the forerunner of Christ – he’s a model for the church.
So, here’s what this means for us. Just as God sent John to testify about the Light, God has placed you where you are so that others might see the Light through you – in your family, workplace, neighborhood, and friendships. God is still introducing Jesus to the world through ordinary people like you and me. Brothers and sisters, we are not the Light. No matter how hard we try, we cannot save – we cannot change hearts. But we can point people to the One who can. We’re called to bear witness – to say with our words and lives, “Look to Christ, for He is our only hope in the darkness.” So, as you think about the next couple of weeks and the gatherings you’ll be in (around dinner tables, in conversations, with family and friends), ask yourself: How might God be calling you to be a witness? It doesn’t mean that you need to force a conversation or say everything perfectly. It means being attentive, prayerful, and willing. Then, don’t miss the opportunities God places in front of you. He has sent you there, not by accident, but by His grace, so that others might see the Light through you. We don’t have to be extraordinary – we just need to be faithful. Then, this Christmas, let’s joyfully embrace the privilege of introducing the Light to a world that’s still living in darkness.
2) THE WORD RECEIVED (OR REJECTED)
Verse 9: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John tells us that the Light that gives meaning, truth, and hope did not remain distant. He stepped into a world that was lost in darkness. The One through whom all things were made chose to dwell among the things He made so that He might bring them back to the only true source of life. But what happened when He arrived? Verse 10: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.” That is one of the most tragic statements in all of Scripture. The world that owed its existence to Him failed to recognize Him. He was there – but the world did not see Him for who He truly was. And we see this throughout the Gospel accounts. Many people saw Jesus – but they did not see Him rightly. They heard Him teach – but they did not hear it as the Word of God. They witnessed His miracles – but they did not realize that these were signs pointing to His divinity. The Creator stood in the midst of His creation – but creation treated Him like a stranger. Why? Because they were spiritually blind. Sin doesn’t just make us immoral – it also makes us unable to see God rightly. No wonder Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” The problem was not a lack of evidence, but a blindness of heart. Verse 11 adds more to this tragedy: “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” Here, “His own” refers to Israel – God’s covenant people. They had the Scriptures, knew the promises, and were waiting for the Messiah. And yet, when He came, they did not receive Him. Instead, they resisted His authority, rejected His call to repentance, refused His claim to be the Son of God, and ultimately chose to kill Him rather than follow Him. Why? Because they wanted a Messiah who fits their expectations – not a Lord who would rule their hearts.
But not everyone rejected Him – verse 12: “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” There were those who welcomed Him, trusted Him, and submitted themselves to Him. And John says something astonishing happened: they were given the right to become children of God. Adoption is one of the most powerful pictures of the grace of the gospel because it shows us that God doesn’t merely forgive sinners – He also welcomes them into His family. Forgiveness alone would’ve been astonishing – in that if God erased our guilt, canceled our debt, and then kept us at a distance, that would already be more mercy than we deserve. But the gospel goes further. God doesn’t just bring us out of the courtroom – He brings us into His home. In the ancient Roman world, adoption was legal and irreversible. An adopted child received a new name, full inheritance rights, and the protection of the father. In other words, their old life was permanently replaced by a new one. And even today, when a child is adopted, they don’t have to earn their place at the table – they don’t have to prove their worth, demonstrate their potential, or promise good behavior first. They’re welcomed as one of their own – not because of what they’ve done, but because of the love and decision of the one adopting them. And that’s exactly what God does for us in Christ. We who were once enemies of God are made sons and daughters of God – heirs to His Kingdom. No one becomes a child of God because of background, intelligence, sincerity, or moral effort. We’re adopted simply because God chooses to love us so that there would be no room for boasting – only gratitude.
Brothers and sisters, this means that we finally have a place where we belong. We’re no longer spiritual orphans – striving to prove our worth. We’re sons and daughters who are loved simply because God has set His love on us. Think about how freeing this is. Every day, we live under pressure to perform – we’re constantly compared to others who seem stronger, wiser, richer, more accomplished, and more attractive. But God welcomes us with His arms wide open and says, “Son. Daughter. I love you. Nothing will take away My love for you. So, if you’re with Me, you can stop trying to hold your life together. I’ve got you. You can rest. You’re home.” So, let me ask you: Do you truly know that you’re a child of God? When you think about your relationship with Him, do you think more in terms of performance or adoption? Do you live like someone who has been given a new identity, or like someone still trying to earn one? Friends, live your life out of this truth because when you do, fear will begin to loosen its grip, anxiety will begin to fade, and joy will begin to take root. This is the message of Christmas.
Now, if you’re here today and you’re not yet a Christian, or you’re still exploring faith, I want you to hear this clearly: this promise is for you, too. John is telling you, “To all who receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He will give the right to become children of God.” The truth is that that deep longing to be known, loved, and accepted is something every one of us shares, no matter who we are or where we come from. But we know that this kind of unconditional love can’t be found in this world. We’ve seen it ourselves – our spouses disappoint us, our children frustrate us, our friends misunderstand us, our families can wound us, and even the people who mean well still fall short. And if we’re really honest, we don’t just get hurt by others – we hurt others too. The world can offer real love – but never perfect love. It can offer moments of acceptance – but not the kind of steady, unshakeable love our souls are craving. That’s why John tells us we have to look beyond the world to the God who made us. God is not asking you to clean yourself up or become religious before coming to Him. He simply invites you to trust Him, turn to Him, and receive Christ because Christ has already done the work to make you clean. At the cross, He became what we could never bear so that we might become what we could never earn. He was rejected so that you could be welcomed. He was cast out so that you could be brought in. He died so that you might truly live. So, if you’ve been standing on the fence, hear this invitation: God is offering you more than forgiveness – He’s offering you home. You don’t have to earn your way in. You just need to receive Him. The true Light has come into the world. – and the question before each of us is how we will respond. Will you receive Him – or reject Him? This Christmas, don’t let the Light simply pass by you. The Word has come, and the Father’s arms are open. Receive Him – and come home.
3) THE WORD INCARNATE
If verses 1-5 tell us who the Word is, and verses 10-13 show us how the world responded to Him, verse 14 tells us what the Word did: “The Word became flesh.” John doesn’t say the Word appeared human or merely took on the form of flesh. He says the Word became flesh. In other words, the eternal, uncreated, life-giving, darkness-breaking Word took on full humanity without losing any of His divinity. He wasn’t half-God and half-man, but fully God and fully man. This is the mystery of the incarnation – and this is what we celebrate at Christmas. God did not send a representative or shout instructions from heaven – He came Himself. And consider how shocking this is: The Word who was with God and was God, the Word through whom all things were made, the Word in whom was life and light, entered the weakness and limitations of humanity. He experienced hunger and thirst, exhaustion and sorrow, joy and pain, rejection and grief. He lived in a real body, in real time, among real people. Then, we can’t help but ask, “Why? Why did the Word become flesh?” John answers in the same verse: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” In other words, so that He could be with us. The word “dwelling” literally means “to pitch a tent.” In other words, the Word tabernacled among us. Now, this would’ve taken the original readers back to the OT, where God’s presence dwelt with Israel in the tabernacle. It was the place where God met His people – where sacrifices were offered, forgiveness was granted, and God’s glory filled the space. And now John was saying something incredible: that God’s presence is no longer found in a tent or a building – it’s found in a Person. Jesus is the true dwelling place of God. This means that if you want to know what God is like, if you want to see God’s heart, His character, His compassion, His holiness, and His love, you need to look to Jesus. This is why John says at the end of verse 14, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked God, “Show me Your glory.” He was basically saying, “God, I’ve seen great things – I saw the parting of the sea, water from the rock, bread from heaven, and more. But that’s not enough. I want to see You. I want the fullness of Your presence.” But listen to what God said in Exodus 33:20-23: “You cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live. There is a place near Me where you may stand on a rock. When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove My hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.” His glory was the only thing Moses wanted. And yet God allowed him to see only a glimpse of His glory – knowing that the full weight of His holiness would crush him. And now John tells us that what Moses could only glimpse, we now see fully in Jesus Christ. But that glory did not come with lightning and fire – it came in grace and truth. Grace that welcomes sinners – and truth that transforms them. Grace that meets us where we are – and truth that refuses to leave us there. This is the glory of God made visible.
And this is where Christmas becomes deeply personal because the incarnation tells us that God did not remain distant from our suffering – He stepped into it. Hebrews 4:15 says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet He did not sin.” Most of us don’t like to admit weakness – which is why we try to hide it and project strength. But Scripture tells us that weakness is not a deficiency – it’s the reality of being human. And Jesus became human so that He could feel that weakness and empathize with us. In other words, Jesus understands your pain. Friends, have you been betrayed? Jesus was betrayed by His closest friends. Have you been disappointed by others who failed you? His disciples fell asleep when He needed them the most. Are you anxious about money? Jesus lived without a place to lay His head. Have you experienced loss and grief? Jesus stood at the tomb of His friend and wept. When Hebrews says that Jesus empathizes with our weakness, that’s not exaggeration – He truly knows. So, this Christmas, you don’t have to pretend that you’re strong when you’re not. Bring your weakness, sorrow, and questions to Him. He is Emmanuel – God with us. In Him, we have a Savior and a friend who sticks closer than a brother. This is the glory of Christmas: not that we found our way to God, but that God came all the way to us.
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, the Word became flesh – and He is the Light of the world. So, this season, don’t let the Light simply pass by you. Receive Him, trust Him, and come home to the Father who loves you and invites you into the light of His grace.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Why do you think God chose to introduce Jesus through a human witness rather than an overwhelming display of power? Where has God placed you right now (family, work, friendships), where He may be calling you to bear witness to Christ?
2) John says that the world did not recognize Jesus, even though it was made through Him. Why do you think people often fail to recognize who Jesus truly is? What expectations, desires, or fears might keep someone from fully receiving Christ?
3) How is adoption different from simply being forgiven? Why is that difference important? How does knowing you are fully loved and permanently welcomed by God change how you deal with failure, fear, or comparison? What would it look like for you to live more consciously as a beloved son or daughter of God this week?
4) Why is it significant that John says “the Word became flesh” rather than merely appeared human? How does that truth affect the way you approach Him with your struggles – the idea that Jesus understands our weakness?
