The Incarnate Word Among Us

MEMORY SELECTION: “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

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: John 1:1-5, 9-14

AWAY back in the far distant past—we do not know how long—our Lord existed with the Heavenly Father alone. During that period of his prehuman existence he was known as the “Logos,” or “Word.” “Logos” is a fitting title to describe God’s only begotten Son because the Greek word “Logos” literally means “The Expression.” When we ponder the thought of the “Logos” being the companion of the Heavenly Father in that early time before the creation of the world, he was, of course, in every sense the complete “Expression” of God—in will, mind, purpose, and character.

The “Logos” was fully subservient to his Father’s will. As proof of this obedience, he willingly set aside his heavenly condition and became the man Christ Jesus. And, as further evidence of his loyalty to God, he was obedient unto death—even the ignominious death on the cross.

Because of our Lord’s faithfulness, the Heavenly Father raised him from the dead and exalted him to the divine nature, which is far above his prehuman life, as the “Logos.” The divine nature is the highest form of life on any plane of existence, far above angels, principalities, powers, and every name that is named. He is now next to God and possesses all knowledge and power both in heaven and on earth.

Although the Son of God enjoyed the esteemed favor of the Father both during his prehuman existence and as the perfect man Christ Jesus, he was not at that time of the same divine nature as God. It is only since his faithfulness in carrying out the Father’s will, in connection with the plan of redemption for the recovery of the human family from the condition of sin and death, that he has been highly exalted to a position at the right hand of God. He is now a partaker of the divine nature, together with its glory, honor, and immortality. We are advised accordingly (John 5:23) that now “all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.”

Our Lord has always occupied a position of preeminence. In his prehuman existence he was higher than the angels—although not of the divine nature—and we know that he was directly involved in the Father’s plan of creation. Paul says that “[He] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist [in him have all things been permanently placed, Diaglott].”—Col. 1:15-17

As the perfect man Christ Jesus, our Lord was separate from the rest of the human family in that “in him was life.” (John 1:4) The entire race, from the time of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, has been in a dying condition. Adam could impart only sin and death to his posterity. But, because of Jesus’ perfection and the life which was in him, he was able to take the sinner’s place in death and therefore purchase the whole human family—the sacrifice of a perfect life for the loss of the perfect life of Adam. According to the Heavenly Father’s plan, our Lord Jesus laid down his life on our behalf and provided the necessary corresponding price as the satisfaction for divine justice.

Only a small number yet understand the plan of God as it continues to unfold. In the Father’s providence arrangements are in progress whereby many sons shall share the glory of the divine inheritance. Throughout the present Gospel Age these consecrated followers of our Lord have received of the merit of Jesus’ life-giving blood. Because of their devotion to God and his Son, they are justified and therefore are free to offer their own lives in sacrifice alongside that of earth’s Savior.

In due time the members of Christ’s body will all have been selected. Then the merit of our Lord’s sacrifice will become available for the entire race of man—those living and those who will be brought forth from the condition of death by the mighty power of the Christ, Head and body.

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