The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, John says. We often think that the Word is concealed behind His flesh. But that is the opposite of the truth. In the Old Testament, Yahweh was hidden within the temple veils, but in the incarnation He comes out of hiding.
This is what John says in the next sentence: The Word became flesh, and we saw His glory, the glory of the only-begotten of the Father. The flesh of Jesus isn’t a protective shield between us and God. Rather, through the flesh, God Himself comes near to touch His creation, to touch us.
This week begins the traditional church season of Epiphany. An epiphany is an appearance, a manifestation, and during the season of Epiphany we celebrate Christ’s appearance to the Magi, the firstfruits of the Gentiles.
Epiphany reminds us that the purpose of the incarnation is to manifest the glory of the Son, not to hide it. The flesh of Jesus is not a bushel basket hiding the Light that lightens every man; it is the lampstand that holds up the light so it can bring light to all who are in the house.
In fact, the whole point of the incarnation is to manifest the light of God in flesh, our flesh. Jesus is now raised and exalted, and through the Spirit God is shining the Light of His Son through us. The Word became flesh so that our flesh could become transparent to the glory of the Word. Through Him in the Spirit, the Father makes us lights in the world, called to share in Jesus’ epiphany, in the manifestation of His glory to the nations.
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