Scripture tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." That could be translated “taber nacled" or "tented" in our pres ence. In the case of the Old Testa ment tabernacle, Cod's dwelling place was distant and external. His people could see it but it was for eign to them; they did not have a right to enter fully into His holy presence. The Lord chose to pitch His tent among men in a way that we could comprehend Him. This is why He took on flesh. Christ demonstrated the kind of life we are intended to live. In fact, the only way we can live the kind of life Cod desires us to live is to have God Himself living within us. By His death and resurrection He made this possible (Colossians 1:27). One spring I had the opportun ity of being at the opening cere monies for the La Mirada Little League. I was asked to give the in vocation. On the program was a fellow named Jim Spencer who, at that time, was first baseman for the California Angels. While he may have been no superstar, he was enough to be on a big league team. The boys and their parents were all excited about this wonderful personality who was in their midst. To think that he would leave the glory of Anaheim Stadium to come down to the lowly turf of La Mirada. That was something tremendous! You can imagine the flurry of excitement in getting autographs. This, in a very small way, illustrates what happened when God became flesh to dwell among men. The quality of His humanity is revealed in the words, "we beheld His glory." This suggests a calm, careful, continuous, deliberate con
templation. They did not stare ab sent-mindedly nor look quickly. They regarded Him carefully. What the disciples saw with their very own eyes was glorious indeed. They saw Him change the water into wine. They saw Him talk with an outcast woman of Samaria. They saw Him feed five thousand men (besides women and children) from just five loaves and two fishes. They saw Him give sight to a man who had been blind from his birth. And wonder of wonders, they even saw Him raise a man from the dead. To be sure, His works were glorious but so was His personality. He was gentle but He was austere. He was humble yet authoritative. He was merciful but just. He was tender yet He was bold. He was "full of grace and truth." What a blessing it is to receive something you do not deserve. A short time ago President Nixon commuted the sentence of team ster boss, James Hoffa. To Mr. Hoffa this must have been a very glor ious occasion. But it is interesting to note that although Mr. Nixon could alter the consequences of the crime he could not relieve the individual's guilt. The glory of the grace of Cod is that it not only al ters the consequences of our sin but it also erases the guilt. In Jesusl Christ we see the sheer winsome-! ness of God. In the Old Testament! He is revealed as One of might,! majesty, power and judgment. Ini the New Testament, although Hel still demonstrates those character-1 ¡sties, in Christ we see the beautyl of His love. Christ was also full of truth. Johnl points this out repeatedly. Jesusl is the embodiment of truth. Very! few of us can grasp abstract ideas!
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