THE GREAT EXCHANGE

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

Before the angel announced the birth of Jesus on that night long ago, He had existed in the heavens with a different name, likeness and appearance, (which I shall call His manifestation). Before we beheld Him He was called the “Word.” He was with God, was God, and the demonstration of God in all creation. Nothing was made without Him and He was Deity (see John 1:1-3). Now He would be made flesh. Now He would be called Jesus, the man from Nazareth. No human mind can grasp, save His perhaps, the depth of the exchange He made when He left the majesty of heaven to plunge into the muddy roads of our existence.   The “Word” would come as humanity in the womb of a woman. True, she was a highly favored young woman, yet completely human. There He would be knit together and formed as a flesh and blood child to be born, just as you and I, yet without sin. The “Word” would be made flesh. The word “made” in the original language has to do with created. How amazing, the “Creator” would become the created one so He could really, really know us. The Deity would become a dependent child in need of feeding, diaper changing, parenting, schooling, and learning obedience as a Son (through suffering see Hebrews 5:8), in order to have relationship with us.

It is amazing to me that the Deity would extend itself so much, would drop so far down, even walk through hell itself, to bring us up. Much of religious activity puts the pressure on us to do more, get better, prove our worthiness with the hope of somehow, someday, someway obtaining a better place and position. He gave up a perfect place and position, a heavenly life, for an earthly one, so you could go beyond simple religious effort to an intimate relationship with Him. We did not have to get to Him; He came to us, and of all things, as one of us. This becoming flesh was not a temporary deal Jesus would slip in and out of, for we are told “this same Jesus” shall one day appear again.

The above may in some fashion explain how He came to us, but why He had to come, and what was on His mind in doing so still needs some clarification. The short answer as to why He came is simply put, love; love that was far beyond His own comfort or circumstances. As to what was on His mind…you were. Love and you is what drove Him into a whole new mode of existence. He wanted to know you, but He also really wanted you to know Him, and God, His Father.

Can I ask you to consider that if He was willing to have His whole world change in order to get to you; are you willing to have your life reordered to better know Him? And I don’t mean know about Him, I mean know Him.

From your Father's heart, Dances with Jesus