Devotion: And the Word Became Flesh

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” ~John 1:14 ESV

One of my favorite movies of all time is Sleepless in Seattle. Sam Baldwin is a widowed father whose eight-year-old son calls a radio talk show on Christmas Eve on his behalf. Annie Reed is listening. Hearing about the deep love Sam had for his wife stirs her heart. Annie sends Sam a letter, asking him to meet her on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. Sam and Annie discover love in real life through words spoken on the radio and written in a letter.

Online dating is a modern day version of a Sleepless in Seattle romance. There is a hope that words exchanged online can lead to lasting love. I have a friend who met her husband online. They are deep in love and knee-deep in kids a decade after meeting in a chat room. Words led to love in real life.

I made the transition from social media acquaintances to real life friends with some of my writing friends. In fact, this summer I shared a table with a few of the writers from The Glorious Table. Chats begun online spilled out around fish tacos and chocolate cake. Conversations over lunch helped seal the deal in my heart. Words became love in real life.

[Tweet “Jesus is the ultimate example of words becoming love in real life.”] John 1:14 tells us, “The Word became flesh.” The love letter God has been writing since “in the beginning,” became a real, flesh-and-blood person.

Jesus became the sacrificial lamb describe in the first books of the Bible. He fulfilled all of the promises given by the prophets. There were no disappointments, never a moment when He didn’t live up to the words written about Him in the Old Testament.

• “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 ESV).
• “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1 ESV).
• “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see” (Isaiah 29:19 ESV).
• “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6 ESV).

The ultimate love in real life moment happened on the cross. It is when Isaiah 53:5 was fulfilled:

But he was wounded for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his stripes we are healed.

God’s word is a love letter to you and me. He showed us the truth of His love when He sent Jesus—His Word wrapped in flesh. While we can create an online persona representing only the best parts of ourselves, Jesus is every word, from Genesis to Revelation.

Jesus is the scarlet thread woven through the Books of the Law. He is the songs of the Psalms, the wisdom of Proverbs. He is the promise of the prophets. In the gospels, he is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus becomes the church in the epistles. In Revelation, he is our Bridegroom.

Jesus is the Word. He is love in real life.

Scripture for Reflection

“God with us.”  (Matthew1:23 ESV)

 Reach for More

In any good romance, love goes both ways. For this week’s challenge, consider God’s love for you, demonstrated through His Son, Jesus. Write a love letter back to Him. Thank Him for His never-ending, perfect love for you. Tell Him all the reasons you love Him.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.