God in the Flesh? (John 1:1-18)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 NIV)

Over the years, much discussion has taken place over these verses.  People have struggled over the qualities attributed to the "Word."  Whoever it is, the Word is described as being with God in the beginning, creating all things, the sustainer of life, and light overcoming the darkness.  These attributes had never been used to describe anyone but Yahweh, the living God.  Now John, the Apostle and revelator,  uses them to describe someone else.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  (John 1:6-8 NIV)

John, the Apostle, takes a moment to talk about John the Baptist.  He makes it clear that John the Baptist was not the "Word."  He was, however, one of many people who testified about the "Word."  John the Baptist wanted everyone to believe in the "Word."  That's because the "Word" was bringing light to a dark world.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:9-13 NIV)

The "Word" is also described as "true light,"  This "Word-light" came to the world, wasn't received by His own people (the Israelite nation) even though He offered a great gift: the right to become a child of God.

This Word-light, then, has qualities only attributed to God, has many people testifying about him, and offers the way to reconcile us with God and become God's children again.  It would really be nice to know who this "Word" is!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, "This is the one I spoke about when I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'") Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14-17 NIV)

John the Apostle, as he often does, builds the description of this person so we can figure it out.  The Word became flesh - he is talking about someone who was here as a flesh and blood person.  The Word is the person John the Baptist testified about - referring to a specific story we would read a little later.  In case you still haven't figured it out, John tells you: the Word brought grace and truth.  The Word is Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18 NIV)

People have struggled over the years with John's description of Jesus because his description takes us to uncomfortable places.  John doesn't say that Jesus was just a good man.  He doesn't describe Jesus as just a prophet with truth from God.  John doesn't only claim that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah sent from God.  No, John clearly takes things to a step no one expected of the Messiah.  John said that Jesus "is himself God."  

Somehow, John went from seeing Jesus as a man just like himself, to clearly believing Jesus is God.  Where are you on that spectrum from man to God?  Who do you think Jesus is?