“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (Jn 1:14 The Message).
Who Are They?
A moving van rumbles past your house and down the cul-de-sac. It pulls up in front of the house that sold last month. Yup, you’ve got new neighbors.
What will they be like? Noisy? Nosey? Kind? Quiet? Do they have kids? Are they teenagers? Do they own a dog? Can you trust them?
These are just a few of the questions that run through your head. New neighbors can change everything in the neighborhood.
A Big Change in the 'Hood
A couple of thousand years ago, a Galilean fisherman named John remembers the day he got a new Neighbor. This new Neighbor changed everything in the ‘hood. In a good way. A VERY good way.
And when he says “neighborhood,” he means the entire world. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to this neck of the woods.
So what exactly did John say? Here it is as we find it in The Message, a paraphrase of the Bible. “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (v14).
The Why of Christmas
Believe it or not, John is writing about Christmas. You’ve probably heard the other more popular versions of Jesus’ birth as told by a former tax collector (Mt 1:1-25) and a first century physician (Lk 2:1-20).
These guys tell us the play-by-play of how God uses a young carpenter and his pregnant teenage fiancee to bring His one and only Son into the world. John backs up and explains the story. Matthew and Luke give us the what. John gives us the why.
Before the Big Move
First of all, we read about what our new Neighbor was doing before the big move. “The Word became flesh and blood” (v14). John’s referring back to what he had to say at the very beginning of this document we’ve come to call the Gospel of John. “The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word, in readiness for God from day one” (Jn 1:1).
This is his way of saying the Son of God was hanging out at the heavenly palace with God the Father from the very beginning. God’s mansion is so upscale that it makes Beverly Hills and Palm Beach look like the projects.
Packing for the Move
But Jesus is about to pack up and move. Instead of packing boxes and calling the movers, something else happens. Something amazing! “The Word became flesh and blood” (v14). The Second Person of the Trinity took on human form.
The One who was already 100% God also became 100% human. The math doesn’t make sense, but as one of God’s spokespersons told Jesus’ mom, “Nothing, you see, is impossible with God” (Lk 1:38).
Putting on His Earth Suit
In order to make the move, the Son of God puts on His Earth suit. He becomes the God-Man. Theologians, preachers, and a long list of smart folks have been trying to wrap their brains around this one for several hundred years.
Some like to call it the Incarnation. That basically means God with meat. Don’t believe me? Ever have chili con carne or chili with meat?
Hypostatic What?
Another term we’ve cooked up to describe this divine/human combo is hypostatic union. It’s a high fallutin’ way of saying nobody can really figure out how Jesus did this.
The writer of Hebrews points out how this gave God the opportunity to fully experience what it’s like to be mortal with one important exception. “He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin” (Heb 4:15). Let’s break down the divine math this way: 100% God + 100% Man = 100% Savior.
The Ultimate Missionary
After the Son of God packed Himself in a human box, it was time to hit the road from Heaven to Earth. That’s when He “moved into the neighborhood” (v14). It’s because Jesus is the ultimate Missionary.
Just like missionaries move right into the heart of the communities they will serve, so did our Savior. He buy a McMansion in a gated community and swing by to slum with us a couple of times a year. Jesus moved in.
One-of-a-Kind Glory
Because the Son of God lived just down the street, He gave folks a a glimpse of who He really was. “We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son” (v14).
John’s not talking about Jesus’ baby pictures. He’s probably describing the time on a mountain when Christ let us Godness shine to John, his brother James, and their buddy Peter (Mt 17:1-8; Mr 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36).
Like Father, Like Son
Just to make sure these three are sure of what they’re seeing firsthand, Jesus’ Heavenly Dad connects the dots for them. “This is My Son, marked by My love, focus of My delight. Listen to Him” (Mt 17:5). That’s why the apostle likes to say, “Like Father, like Son.” (v14).
Want to know what God the Father looks like? Take a long look at the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee. They share a glory you don’t see anywhere else. “Like Father, like Son” (v14).
Generous Inside and Out
John says our new Neighbor is the kind of person you hope moves in just down the street. He’s “generous inside and out” (v14). Jesus isn’t the stingy guy on the block who never loans any of His tools, keeps a death grip on His wallet, or is too busy to talk.
He’s generous with everything He has whether we deserve it or not. ESPECIALLY when we don’t deserve it. That’s the definition of grace. He gives. And it’s not phony. Need anything, just ask. Our new Neighbor’s “generous inside and out” (v14).
A Straight Shooter
Jesus is also “true from start to finish” (v14). He’s the one guy in the neighborhood we can always trust. Christ didn’t move in and immediately start complaining to the HoA. He’s true to His word.
If He says, He does it. He’s a straight shooter and not afraid to say what needs to be said. No hidden agenda. Our new Neighbor has been that way ever since He rolled into town. There’s no reason to think He’ll ever change.
John wants us to know there’s no reason to worry. You’re going to love our new Neighbor. Why don’t you go say “hello”?
©2016
Jay Jennings
Who Are They?
A moving van rumbles past your house and down the cul-de-sac. It pulls up in front of the house that sold last month. Yup, you’ve got new neighbors.
What will they be like? Noisy? Nosey? Kind? Quiet? Do they have kids? Are they teenagers? Do they own a dog? Can you trust them?
These are just a few of the questions that run through your head. New neighbors can change everything in the neighborhood.
A Big Change in the 'Hood
A couple of thousand years ago, a Galilean fisherman named John remembers the day he got a new Neighbor. This new Neighbor changed everything in the ‘hood. In a good way. A VERY good way.
And when he says “neighborhood,” he means the entire world. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to this neck of the woods.
So what exactly did John say? Here it is as we find it in The Message, a paraphrase of the Bible. “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (v14).
The Why of Christmas
Believe it or not, John is writing about Christmas. You’ve probably heard the other more popular versions of Jesus’ birth as told by a former tax collector (Mt 1:1-25) and a first century physician (Lk 2:1-20).
These guys tell us the play-by-play of how God uses a young carpenter and his pregnant teenage fiancee to bring His one and only Son into the world. John backs up and explains the story. Matthew and Luke give us the what. John gives us the why.
Before the Big Move
First of all, we read about what our new Neighbor was doing before the big move. “The Word became flesh and blood” (v14). John’s referring back to what he had to say at the very beginning of this document we’ve come to call the Gospel of John. “The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word, in readiness for God from day one” (Jn 1:1).
This is his way of saying the Son of God was hanging out at the heavenly palace with God the Father from the very beginning. God’s mansion is so upscale that it makes Beverly Hills and Palm Beach look like the projects.
Packing for the Move
But Jesus is about to pack up and move. Instead of packing boxes and calling the movers, something else happens. Something amazing! “The Word became flesh and blood” (v14). The Second Person of the Trinity took on human form.
The One who was already 100% God also became 100% human. The math doesn’t make sense, but as one of God’s spokespersons told Jesus’ mom, “Nothing, you see, is impossible with God” (Lk 1:38).
Putting on His Earth Suit
In order to make the move, the Son of God puts on His Earth suit. He becomes the God-Man. Theologians, preachers, and a long list of smart folks have been trying to wrap their brains around this one for several hundred years.
Some like to call it the Incarnation. That basically means God with meat. Don’t believe me? Ever have chili con carne or chili with meat?
Hypostatic What?
Another term we’ve cooked up to describe this divine/human combo is hypostatic union. It’s a high fallutin’ way of saying nobody can really figure out how Jesus did this.
The writer of Hebrews points out how this gave God the opportunity to fully experience what it’s like to be mortal with one important exception. “He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin” (Heb 4:15). Let’s break down the divine math this way: 100% God + 100% Man = 100% Savior.
The Ultimate Missionary
After the Son of God packed Himself in a human box, it was time to hit the road from Heaven to Earth. That’s when He “moved into the neighborhood” (v14). It’s because Jesus is the ultimate Missionary.
Just like missionaries move right into the heart of the communities they will serve, so did our Savior. He buy a McMansion in a gated community and swing by to slum with us a couple of times a year. Jesus moved in.
One-of-a-Kind Glory
Because the Son of God lived just down the street, He gave folks a a glimpse of who He really was. “We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son” (v14).
John’s not talking about Jesus’ baby pictures. He’s probably describing the time on a mountain when Christ let us Godness shine to John, his brother James, and their buddy Peter (Mt 17:1-8; Mr 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36).
Like Father, Like Son
Just to make sure these three are sure of what they’re seeing firsthand, Jesus’ Heavenly Dad connects the dots for them. “This is My Son, marked by My love, focus of My delight. Listen to Him” (Mt 17:5). That’s why the apostle likes to say, “Like Father, like Son.” (v14).
Want to know what God the Father looks like? Take a long look at the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee. They share a glory you don’t see anywhere else. “Like Father, like Son” (v14).
Generous Inside and Out
John says our new Neighbor is the kind of person you hope moves in just down the street. He’s “generous inside and out” (v14). Jesus isn’t the stingy guy on the block who never loans any of His tools, keeps a death grip on His wallet, or is too busy to talk.
He’s generous with everything He has whether we deserve it or not. ESPECIALLY when we don’t deserve it. That’s the definition of grace. He gives. And it’s not phony. Need anything, just ask. Our new Neighbor’s “generous inside and out” (v14).
A Straight Shooter
Jesus is also “true from start to finish” (v14). He’s the one guy in the neighborhood we can always trust. Christ didn’t move in and immediately start complaining to the HoA. He’s true to His word.
If He says, He does it. He’s a straight shooter and not afraid to say what needs to be said. No hidden agenda. Our new Neighbor has been that way ever since He rolled into town. There’s no reason to think He’ll ever change.
John wants us to know there’s no reason to worry. You’re going to love our new Neighbor. Why don’t you go say “hello”?
©2016
Jay Jennings
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