THE INCARNATION

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.      The word “incarnate” comes from a Latin word which means “to make into flesh.” 

 

B.      Because of the wonderful miracle that had to be performed to bring Jesus into this world as a human being, His being made flesh has hijacked the word “incarnation.”  In fact, most of the time, the word “incarnation” now means “God in the flesh.” 

 

C.      The incarnation of Jesus is not something that we talk about in very much detail.  Most of us simply accept the fact that Jesus came in the flesh, and we move on.

 

D.     Let’s study this important doctrine.  Paul includes it in what he refers to as “the mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:16).

 

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifest in the flesh.

 

I.        A FLESHLY BODY

 

A.      Jesus existed before He came into this world.

1.       John 8:58

 

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

 

2.       He was the second member of the Godhead and existed at that time as a spirit being just like the Father and Holy Spirit.

3.       That Spirit had to be clothed in flesh.

 

B.      Three verses:

1.       John 1:14

 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

2.       1 Timothy 3:16

 

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifest in the flesh.

 

3.       Hebrews 10:5

 

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared for me.

 

II.                 VIRGIN BIRTH

 

A.      For one to possess flesh, he must be born of a human being.  (NOTE:  Adam and Eve were the only human beings who were not born, but were created and formed by God through the miracle of creation).

 

B.      Jesus’ birth could not involve a man and a woman. 

1.       The union of a man and a woman produces a being who is 100% human.

2.       The only human involved in Jesus’ birth would be a woman.

a.       Matthew 1:16

 

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

 

b.       Galatians 4:4

 

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

 

C.      Jesus’ birth would have to be a miraculous birth.  In order to prove Jesus was not just a human, God chose for a virgin to conceive and give birth to the Son of God.

1.       This was not a spur of the moment decision.  God planned it long before it happened.  In fact, the prophet Isaiah prophesied about it several hundred years before Jesus’ birth (Isa. 7:14).

 

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign:  Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 

2.       God selected a virgin of Israel named Mary.  He sent the angel Gabriel to announce this miraculous birth to her.

a.       Luke 2:30-32a

 

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:  for thou hast found favor with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.

 

1)      Mary would conceive the child in her womb.

2)      However, He would be called “the Son of the Highest.”

b.       Mary was confused, and asked:  “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 2:34).

c.        The angel provided her with an answer (Luke 2:35).

 

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that holy thing which shall be born unto thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

1)      The miraculous power of the Holy Spirit enabled the virgin Mary to conceive.

2)      Notice that the angel refers to Jesus as “that holy thing” and “the Son of God.”  He is more than simply a human being.

3.       Due to the unique circumstances of this birth, Joseph, Mary’s husband had to be informed of the cause of her pregnancy (Matt. 1:20-21).

 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:  for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 

D.     Once Mary conceived, the remainder of Mary’s pregnancy, the birth, and life of Jesus appear just like that of any other human being. 

1.       Luke 2:7

 

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

2.       Luke 2:40

 

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

 

3.       Luke 2:52

 

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 

III.              GENEALOGY

 

A.      Jesus’ birth to Mary was important to Jesus’ genealogy.

 

B.      The Messiah had been predicted to come through certain individuals.

1.       He had to be from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10).

2.       He has to spring from the loins of Abraham through Isaac (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:4-5; 17:19; 26:1-5).

3.       Too, he had to be born of the lineage of David, the king of Israel (2 Sam. 7:12-16).

 

C.      Jesus’ genealogy corresponds to the genealogy of the predicted Messiah.

1.       Hebrews 7:14

 

For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda…

 

2.       Matthew 1:1

 

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

 

3.       Romans 1:3

 

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.

 

4.       Hebrews 2:16

 

For verily he took no on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

 

IV.               GOD/MAN

 

A.      Second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45, 47)

 

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

 

B.      Human

1.       Mary, His mother (Gal. 4:4; Rom. 1:3; Phil. 2:5-8a)

 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man…

 

2.       Born, grew, hungered, tired, tempted, suffered, and died.

 

C.      Divine

1.       His name is Emmanuel, “which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23).

2.       John 1:14b

 

…(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

3.       He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person (Heb. 1:3).

4.       Called God His Father (John 5:18)

5.       Affirmations:

a.       Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58)

b.       I and my Father are one (John 10:10)

c.        If ye have seen me, ye have seen the Father (John 14:9)

6.       His resurrection (Rom. 1:4)

 

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

 

D.     Perfect (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 7:26)

 

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

 

E.      Sacrifice (1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 2:9, 14-15)

 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for all men.

 

F.      High Priest (Heb. 3:1; 4:15)

 

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.      It is hoped that this lesson explains the incarnation in some detail.  There is definitely a lot attached to it.

1.       We have looked at nine different terms surrounding the incarnation.

2.       Each of these terms has much depth to it.

 

B.      Question:  Would a mere human being ever devise a plan to put God on the earth clothed in the flesh of man?

1.       The plan is divine in its wisdom.

2.       The plan is unique in its mission.

3.       The plan has love as its foundation.