“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.” (John 1:14)
“who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6–8)
The Second Article (Part 1)
If you were asked, “Who is Jesus?” how would you answer?
Those descriptions contain some truth, but they don’t go far enough. The Christian faith stands or falls on a much bigger claim.
Jesus is both true God and true man.
That is what we confess in the Second Article of the Creed when we say,
“And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.”
The word “Lord” is important.
In the Bible, “Lord” is not merely a title of respect. It is a confession of Jesus’ divine identity. He is not simply someone sent by God. He is God the Son, eternally one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Yet the eternal Son did something astonishing.
He became one of us, a human being.
John tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The God who created the universe entered His creation. The One who filled heaven took on a human body. The Author of Life experienced hunger, fatigue, sorrow, and pain.
Think about how remarkable that is.
When we suffer, we sometimes wonder whether God understands.
Jesus answers that question.
He does.
He knows what it is like to be tired or to be rejected. He knows what it is like to grieve.
He is not a distant God watching from afar.
He stepped into our world.
Philippians 2 describes how Christ humbled Himself. Though He possessed all the glory of heaven, He willingly laid aside His rights and privileges. He came not as a king demanding service, but as a servant giving Himself away.
That humility reveals God’s heart.
All other religions picture humanity trying to climb up to God, if they believe in God at all.
Christianity uniquely tells the story of God coming down to humanity. The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the children of men might become the children of God.
And this matters because only someone who is both God and man can save us.
But because He is both, He can bridge the gap that sin created.
The Second Article will spend several days showing us what Christ has done. But before we talk about His saving work, we must know who He is.
He is not merely a teacher, an example, or a historical figure. He is certainly not a myth or false messiah.
He is Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
And He became one of us for our salvation.
Let’s pray…
Lord Jesus Christ,
Thank You for becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Thank You for entering our world, sharing our humanity, and understanding our struggles. Strengthen my faith in You as my true God and Savior, and help me to trust in Your love and mercy each day.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
