John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory.”
Soren Kierkegaard tells the story of a prince who fell madly in love with a beautiful peasant maiden in his kingdom. He wanted to marry her, but how? He could order her to marry him, but that coercion would not be love. He could make a grand entrance in his carriage but her response then might simply be one of overwhelmed awe. So instead he gave up his kingly robe, moved into her village, and lived as a peasant. In time she grew to love him for who he was and because he had first loved her.
This story simply and beautifully illustrates the incarnation. God came and lived among us. Why is that so important? Because it shows that God is with us, he’s on our side, and he loves us. And further, it gives us a glimpse into the mind of God. When we’re asked what God is like, we can point to the person of Jesus. The Creator of the whole universe was willing to enter into our world, speak our language, eat our food, share our suffering. The reason? So that you, I, our colleagues and friends might be rescued and come to a living relationship with him.
God is not distant. One of his names is Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us’. He sees your hopes and dreams, your disappointments and hurts, your fears and hang-ups. He knows the good and the bad about you. He wants to journey with you.
And in the physical absence of Jesus, he gives us the privilege and responsibility to be his hands and feet in our broken world – to incarnate his message of love, acceptance, mercy and sacrifice. Think how you might do that today.
Heavenly Father, thank you that you chose to live with me. I choose today to live with you. Amen!
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