The Significance of Jesus Coming to Live Among Us
Thinking about John 1:14.
Sometimes people move to find a better opportunity.
Sometimes people move to live closer to their loved ones. This is part of what Jesus did.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Jesus “became flesh” and “dwelt among us.” The word “dwelt” means moving in and setting up your dwelling place.
Jesus became flesh like us and “moved” here to live among us. He left something amazing behind when He did that.
What Jesus left when He moved.
He left the riches of heaven for us.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
He left His exalted position and humbled Himself.
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)
He left a place without suffering and came here to experience suffering for our sake.
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18)
What will you leave behind for Him?
Will you leave behind your wishes and desires to follow Him?
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)
When I realize all that Jesus sacrificed for me - it helps me understand how deeply He loves me.
When we realize how much He loves us - doesn’t it cause us to want to love Him in return?
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
What will you leave behind for Jesus?