John 1:14; And the Word became flesh…
I wonder if we grasp just how repugnant incarnation was to the Hellenized (Greek-influenced) world in which it took place. To imagine God who is spirit becoming part of the material universe was shocking to a culture steeped in dualism. Right-thinking and sophisticated people knew the material universe was of a lesser substance than God. It was created by a demi-urge, an inferior being, and for God to be involved in some way with it was unthinkable. Yet, John does not try to make palatable the unfortunate fact of the incarnation, rather he presents it in language that is as bold and uncompromising – the Word became flesh. It is not simply that the Word entered humanity, or adopted a human form, or inhabited a human body – all a little more ambiguous and less distasteful to C1 sensibilities – but John will not fudge to be fashionable, instead he will state the truth in its starkest and most objectionable vulgar reality – the word became flesh. Flesh, is humanity in all its vulnerability, weakness, and biological grubby earthiness, and it is this flesh (sin apart) that the Word who was God (Jn 1;1) took when he became a man; he gave this flesh for the sin of the world (Jn 6:51; Hebs 10:20), and in resurrection took human flesh (for a spirit, a mere phantom, has not flesh and bones as the disciples saw him to have in resurrection Lk 24:39) into heaven and the immediate presence of God. Indeed, it is only by feeding on this flesh and blood, an idea repulsive to Jewish and Hellenistic sensibilities, that eternal life is to be found (Jn 6:54. Cf. 1 Jn 4:2)
From the outset the story of Christianity was profoundly counter-cultural. The gospel always confounds the wisdom of the wise. Why therefore, in our age, do we imagine that only if it is made culturally palatable it will be believed? Why-oh-why are we so afraid to boldly and unambiguously proclaim its counter-cultural realities today?
Indeed, sometimes I wish I could simply save others (by telling them about Jesus and the counter-cultural gospel realities), yet I cannot. It is my very experience that I can do nothing apart from Him (Jn 15:5), that is, without being pushed by Christ’s Spirit whenever HE wants me to do something (Rom 8:14). It also seems to me that my reason and my logical thoughts (Prv 3:5) are anything but helpful as to the life in the spirit.
The only thing I know is that God has a certain plan with mankind, with every human being, and that He will spread the gospel just the way He wants it to be done – whenever, wherever, through whomever, just in terms of the following Scripture [perhaps it refers to the Word that became flesh as well as to any word God has spoken, speaks, and will speak]:
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Is 55:10-11)
There are still countries (China, North Korea, and various Islamic states for example) where Christ’s Spirit spreads the gospel through Christians who suffer persecution. Christians who give their life because they love Christ. Christians who love Him more than their families, their property, and their freedom here on earth since they are often imprisoned because of their faith.
In my humble opinion, the difference between those Christians and Christianity in the western countries on the whole lies in the fact that those selfless people do not love this life here on earth any more (1 Jn 2:15), but long to live in the kingdom of God more than anything else [“for they loved not their lives even unto death.“ (Rev 12:11)]. Besides that, I think that they are able to put their earthly life behind, because they know that all dreams will come true in eternity…
——————————————————————————–
John, you are posing a very good question that probably occurs to the mind of every earnest believer,
‘Why-oh-why are we so afraid to boldly and unambiguously proclaim its counter-cultural realities today?’
From biblical witness, I often wondered what could have been the reason for the first Christians, esp. for the apostles, to boldly proclaim the gospel after having been so anxious about the same thing before. I think here particularly of Peter [or of doubting Thomas] who denied Jesus, who had a sword to defend himself, and who hid together with the other disciples out of fear when Jesus was gone.
However, when we look at the same Peter at and after Pentecost (Acts 4:13) – WOW! – was this really the same man? What was the difference?
In my opinion, Jesus’ first disciples experienced four different kind of spiritual stages, partly in quick succession.
The first state had the distinction of the disciples [maybe unconsciously] believing that they would be able to do anything because Jesus was by their side about three and a half years. As soon as Jesus was imprisoned, and later even dead, they had no hope any more because their spiritual eyes were not yet enlightened/opened (Lk 24:31); they looked “fleshly”, and Jesus’ flesh was dead. Period.
That second state [perhaps one might call it “spiritual nonentity”] clearly revealed that they were nothing without Jesus. Instead of finding themselves in the promised land [in order to reign with Jesus here on earth], they were lonely in a spiritual desert, or in a deep, dark, and hopeless night, seemingly forsaken by God.
They had no guidance, no direction, no power – nothing. That experience was utterly necessary to enter the third state which cannot be reached as long as man relies on himself and his understanding of what he thinks he should do for God [remembering Peter who thought he could die for Jesus’ sake].
I guess that the disciples where really disappointed to find out that they were no spiritually powerful men any longer [who could “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,“ and “cast out demons“ (Mt 10:8)] when Jesus had left them.
So, the third state was not entered before Jesus had risen from the dead, and had returned to them, as He finally gifted His devastated disciples with spiritual gifts, which they lacked during the second state, by breathing the Holy Spirit on them (Jn 20:22). Thomas was the one who was not there when the other disciples saw Jesus. Therefore he doubted still until Jesus gave him a special revelation of His deity later. However, there were still some of the eleven – later apostles – who continued to doubt (Mt 28:17).
How could they be helped here? Although the disciples had received the Holy Spirit, they knew about the Great Commandment (Mt 28:16-20), and they were sent by Jesus to preach the gospel (Mk 16:20), there was still something lacking to boldly spread the gospel outside of Jerusalem (Lk 24:47). That is, the Holy Spirit’s power was missing. Jesus said to them,
“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Lk 24:49)
This, in my opinion, was the fourth state to be reached, yet I think that there are only a few people who enter that state during their lifetime here on earth. Spiritual awakenings in church history, or the Reformation itself, were always caused by individuals who were directly called by God, and then equipped with the required spiritual power to spread the gospel all over the world.
——————————————————————————–
To draw a short conclusion [which is anything but easy for me
], I would say that we are not able to be bold Christians whatever the cost as long as we are not yet filled with Christ’s Spirit, like Stephen for example:
“a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5)
“Stephen, full of grace and power” (Acts 6:8)
“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:10)
Moreover, the old self must be completely dead, as Paul said,
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
Also, when Peter and John were “charged […] not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus“ (Acts 4:18), they answered,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)
From the two just aforementioned verses, the lesson regarding our boldness to proclaim the gospel is quite clear:
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Mt 12:34, Lk 6:45)
The more we are filled with His Spirit (Eph 5:18), the more courageous we will be. Therefore, may God fill us all abundantly with His Spirit, so that we keep our eyes on Him and never lose sight of Him! Amen.
If we were to undertake wrestling with flesh and blood (proclaim the gospel with its counter-cultural realities in mind), we may find that our being afraid (lack of God’s peace) is not from within (a lacking of moral courage) but is in fact the leading of our Lord, for from now on we are to regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Look at the shepherds, who after receiving the heavenly message, said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” And when they had seen him (Susanne’s fourth state), they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Therefore, the sharing of one’s faith is indeed a kind of warfare (which you are right to spur on herein), but it is spiritual; and those who thus engage are indeed child (like) warriors of the kingdom—for what grown-up is there foolish enough “to dream … the impossible dream”. It almost makes one feel sorry for those poor ol’ shepherds; little darlings that they must have been–not even knowing (nor being in the least aware of) that their message would have such scandalous ramifications!
We dream the same dream, I assume as to your position [which I find right].
Thank you, Don.
Susanne
Thanks for comments folks. I hope you and your families have an enjoyable festive season.
Living this crucified and risen life is the heart of Christian experience may we each know more and more what it means personally.