“It is by far the most amazing miracle of the entire Bible - far more amazing than the resurrection and more amazing even than the creation of the universe. The fact that the infinite, omnipotent, eternal Son of God could become man and join himself to a human nature forever, so that infinite God. Came one person with finite man, will remain for eternity the most profound miracle and the most profound mystery in all the universe.” —Wayne Grudem
Three meanings of “WITH”:
1) “WITH” MEANS NEARNESS
2) “WITH” MEANS LIKENESS
3) “WITH” MEANS ONENESS
John 1v14 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.
Ezekiel 37v27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
John 1v14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…
God became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. —Eugene Peterson
1) With Means Nearness
2) With Means Likeness
Hebrews 2:14–3:1 (ESV): 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, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 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. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
“Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog and every dog is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved’s face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak?” —C.S. Lewis
- How absurd it is that God would become like us
3) “WITH” MEANS ONENESS
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“For this is the design of the gospel, that Christ may become ours, and that we may be ingrafted into his body.” —John Calvin
- Being joined to Jesus is the whole point of the gospel.
- GOD GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO HIS PEOPLE BECAUSE HE LOVES THEM.