Preacher's Analyist John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory… I. CHRIST'S HUMILIATION. He took the whole nature of man. 1. That He might suffer. 2. That He might obey the law of God in the nature that had broken the Law. 3. That He might die. He could not have died without a body. He could not suffer death while in His Father's bosom. 4. That He might sympathise with men (Hebrews 2:17). II. CHRIST'S CONDESCENSION. "He tabernacled," as in a tent. He lived on earth for a time, just as a man might live. The word is used particularly — 1. As a reference to the tabernacle of old. This was a meeting place between God and His people. Such was Christ. Through Him a just God can meet the sinner. 2. It intimates His condition. A tent is an inferior dwelling to a house or a palace. Christ went about from place to place, and had not where to lay His head. He was dependent upon others for His rest and food. 3. It sanctifies affliction. No one need be ashamed of his poverty, since Christ was poor. III. CHRIST'S GLORY. Amid all His humiliation, His glory burst forth and manifested itself — "We beheld," etc. Clad as our Saviour was in the garments of a man, it was impossible entirely to veil His higher nature. Neither was it advisable. It was necessary that the world should know that He was God. His Divine glory was constantly manifesting itself — when the star led the wise men — when He taught the doctors in the Temple — when He healed the sick and raised the dead. But the chief glory was only visible to spiritual eyes. 1. Divine wisdom. The world considered His wisdom to be folly. It was not His outward manifestation, not His miracles or acts, but the plan of salvation, and the scheme He accomplished when He said, "It is finished." 2. Divine love. There is more glory in the love of God than in all the universe of material creation. This can only be discerned by the eye of faith. When a sinner is brought to find peace, he realises the glory of Christ. We have seen. Have you seen? IV. CHRIST'S FULNESS. "Full of grace and truth." Hence His glory need not deter us from coming to Him. 1. Full of grace, i.e, He is easy to approach, merciful, loving, gracious, in aspect and nature. 2. Full of truth. Himself the truth. Hence we have a firm foundation for our faith. All Christ does is true. His pardon is a true pardon. His promises are true, etc. (Preacher's Analyist.). Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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