At the outset, John in his book introduces the ‘word’ as God Himself. John 1:14 says that God became flesh and dwelt among us. As we are celebrating Christmas, we need to understand why God became flesh. The author of Hebrews explains the reason in Hebrews 2:14-15 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery”.

Origin of Mankind

The Bible brings out God’s desire to make man in Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This verse leads us to imagine that God is in our image and totally makes us ignorant of the understanding God’s image.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2.

Paul enlightened the Philippians with this truth.

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 – Philippians 2:5-7.

Paul writes that God lowered Himself to the likeness of men.

Fall of mankind

Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us of this Spirit’s temple. John reiterates this in John 1:12 saying that “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him”. Why did this happen? Paul answers this in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. If we ponder upon this, we can easily understand the form of man that God created in His own image and likeness. After disobedience, Adam and Eve started realising that they were naked. They lost the glorious image and likeness of God.

Glorious Experience with God

Why were they not able to identify their nakedness when they walked and talked with God every evening? When a person walks with God, the spirit overcomes the body. This was not only with Adam and Eve but also with Enoch. Paul recalls his experience of seeing someone taken up into heaven and was unable to discern whether that person was in his body or out of his body. The best example is Jesus Christ’s transfiguration.

Grace of God

People were afraid of a life acquainted with God thinking that a close walk with God is impossible for common man. They thought that God alone can lead a righteous life. At this juncture, God sent His only son in the form of man to prove that man can also lead a righteous life, when the spirit of God dwells in him.  Moreover God loved the world so much that he wanted to take away the fear about God from man, and came in man’s image to make man once again in His likeness.

 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth – John 1:14

No More Excuses

Paul in his letter to the Romans tells that there is no excuse for mankind to say that we are unaware of God, as the whole world reflects the glory of God. There is no excuse for men to deny the existence of God.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20 

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” – Habakkuk 2:14.

The whole creation of God reflects the glory of God. But man was unable to reach beyond the creation, limiting their knowledge within the creation and made God in the image of His creations. They were unable to understand the immortal life after the death of the mortal body.

Redemption

To save the people from eternal death God sent his Son to the world.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

Moreover, Jesus humbled Himself unto death in order to prove the possibility of man to obey God in all respects.

 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Philippians 2:8-11.

During this Christmas season, let us open our hearts to Jesus Christ that He may dwell in us with the Glory of God, full of truth and mercy. Come let us regain the image of God and His likeness.