When Jesus came to Earth as a baby, He was fully God and fully human at the same time. His willingness to take on human flesh and come and live here on Earth is nothing less than a gift of grace to us. We have a Savior who was willing to come to Earth and take on flesh. Because He experienced what it is like to live life on this Earth, He can empathize with our pain, struggles, and weaknesses.
John made it clear that Jesus was both fully God and fully human in John 1. He began the book John with the words, "In the beginning the Word already existed. The word was with God, and the Word was God" (verse 1). The Word whom John was referring to here is Jesus. As he started the book of John, John made it clear from the very beginning that Jesus was God. He was one hundred percent God. When He came to Earth, Jesus was as much God as He had always been. After laying the foundation that Jesus was fully God, John introduced a new concept: While Jesus was on Earth and fully God, He was also fully man. John wrote, "The Word became human and made His home among us" (verse 14). While He was fully God, Jesus was also fully human. He became human and lived among us, fully God and fully human. There is no greater love or sacrifice than this.
Christmastime reminds us that we have a Savior who knows what it is like to live the human experience because He, himself, lived on Earth as a human for 33 years. He understands what it is like to experience pain, heartbreak, and even temptation. You can turn to Him when you are hurting, need help, or experiencing heartbreak. Your Savior understands what it is like to face all of these things. Find hope and comfort in Him today.
Are you struggling today with pain, heartache, or another type of hurt? Instead of turning to something or anyone else for comfort, turn to Christ. Pray about your struggle. Listen to your favorite worship song. Memorize Scripture. As you do these things, find hope and peace in Him, who profoundly understands your pain.
1In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
