He was Manifested in the Flesh
He was Manifested in the Flesh
By Pastor John Dawson
December 1 begins Advent and the month when we celebrate Christmas. I know, the Christmas shopping season begins even before the Thanksgiving turkey is cold. It is common to bemoan how commercialized Christmas has become. Sales have become a part of our economy with many shops needing the Christmas to end the year in the black. What is the purpose of all the gifts and extravagance of the season? For some it may just be a desire to party at the end of the year. But surely that focuses on a wagging tail rather than the dog. A true celebration needs something to celebrate. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is something that should bring joyful worship and celebration.
The book I have been preaching through has a wonderful verse for our Christmas meditations. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16). Like the Apostles’ Creed, it takes up the major points of Jesus’ life on earth. The part that relates to Christmas is the very first one—He was manifested in the flesh. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. Our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus is both truly human and truly divine. In Christ, God himself came to join with us. We are created in God’s image, but now God came to share our lot with us. There were many wonderful things associated with the birth of Jesus. In the Old Testament it was foretold. It was announced to Joseph and Mary by angels. It was celebrated by the angels who appeared to the shepherds. It was heralded by the appearance of a star which brought magi from another country. These are the wonderful and notable signs that accompanied the birth of Jesus. We remember them and celebrate them.
The fact that God could be manifested in human flesh is itself something to marvel at. This was necessary for our salvation. Elsewhere Paul gives this description: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8). God did not take on human form in order to identify with the best of us, but the poorest of us. He came and humbled himself to join us in our poverty and weakness. And so he stands with us in order to save us. Christ came to give himself for us.
We are to marvel and rejoice at the fact that Christ emptied himself to rescue us. We are also told that we are to have this mind in us. We are called to be like Jesus. He did not come to be served, but to serve. So we are called to be served but to serve. There are ways we can serve even while we celebrate. The key is to avoid being so self-focused that you fail to be aware of others. Christmas can be tough on those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Their absence can be felt more keenly during the holidays. There are those who have financial difficulties, physical infirmities, and great disappointments. Being aware of them does not mean that you should not celebrate. Remember that the celebration is about the coming of the Savior. It is the very comfort of the gospel that we need in our times of trial. When things are hard, remember that you are not alone. He was manifested in the flesh for us and our salvation.
Blessed Christmas
Pastor John