An important perspective on the one whose birthday we celebrate at this time of the year.

It is likely that the apostle John wrote about Jesus in this passage to correct misunderstandings. People who were from a Greek Jewish background would have been familiar with the term ‘Word’, or Logos in their language. It referred to a Greek demi-god. Here John shows how different Jesus is to their mythological gods.

John says, in this passage, that the Word became flesh. John was showing that Jesus, whilst being fully and equally God, also became man. In breath-taking humility he laid aside his heavenly glory and became one of us for a very specific and wondrous purpose … to save us from our sins.

How could He do this? He did this by living a perfect life and then offering up Himself as a spotless substitute and sacrifice on the cross. Forgiveness is now offered to mankind as a free gift to be received by the ‘hand’ of faith and this clothes the believer with Christ’s perfect righteousness. One hymn writer has put it this way …’nothing in my hand I bring, simply to your cross I cling, naked come to you for dress, helpless look to you for grace, stained by sin to you I cry, wash me Saviour or I die.’