WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.919 Well, today is the last Sunday before Christmas, and Christmas is all about a special, precious 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:11.980 child who was born. 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:17.059 One of my favorite Christmas hymns is, What Child is This? 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:22.879 What child is this who, laid to rest in Mary's lap, is sleeping? 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:28.600 And last Tuesday night at the carol sing, we considered one of the answers to that question 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:31.300 of who is this child in the manger. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:39.620 This, this is Christ, the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:46.079 This baby in the manger is the Messiah, God's promised King. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:51.820 Well, this morning we're going to consider another answer to this question. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:56.160 Who is this child lying in a manger? 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:00.859 And we're going to hear it from John, the apostle. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:05.620 If you have your Bible with you, please open it up to the Gospel of John. 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:12.599 If you don't have a Bible with you, we have Bibles in the seats now, in front of you, and 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:16.579 it's on page 860 in the pew Bibles there. 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:23.039 Gospel of John. 00:01:23.039 --> 00:01:23.079 Gospel of John. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:41.560 This is what John wrote, starting in verse 1. 00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:45.140 In the beginning was the Word. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:48.820 And the Word was with God. 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:52.480 And the Word was God. 00:01:53.540 --> 00:01:57.379 He was with God in the beginning. 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:01.560 Through Him all things were made. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.960 Without Him nothing was made that has been made. 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:09.900 In Him was life. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:14.919 And the life was the light of all mankind. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:18.719 The light shines in the darkness. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:22.259 And the darkness has not overcome it. 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:24.400 Verse 14. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:28.860 The Word became flesh. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:31.740 And made His dwelling among us. 00:02:32.420 --> 00:02:34.520 We have seen His glory. 00:02:35.259 --> 00:02:38.800 The glory of the one and only Son. 00:02:39.480 --> 00:02:40.879 Who came from the Father. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:44.240 Full of grace and truth. 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:53.540 You know that moment when somebody asks you about something. 00:02:54.980 --> 00:02:59.020 And you're about to tell them the answer or to tell them the story. 00:02:59.140 --> 00:03:00.460 And then all of a sudden you pause. 00:03:00.820 --> 00:03:06.700 And you realize that for them to really get it, you have to go back to the beginning. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:09.340 And tell the story from the beginning. 00:03:09.340 --> 00:03:14.960 This is the kind of moment that is happened here. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.259 In John's account of the gospel. 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:20.980 He's about to tell us the story of Jesus. 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:26.819 And then he goes back to the very beginning. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:29.180 So that we get it. 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:35.980 But what I love about John's gospel is that the beginning that he goes back to is maybe not the beginning that we expected. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:41.199 John goes back to the very beginning. 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:46.560 To before the universe as we know it existed. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:49.120 Back then. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.679 The Word was. 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:55.359 Says John. 00:03:56.799 --> 00:03:57.859 The Word. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:00.939 What do you mean by that, John? 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:02.000 The Word. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:06.840 As we listen closely and read carefully. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:12.180 We begin to see that the Word is in fact a person. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:17.100 John says the Word was with God. 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:20.959 And the Word was God. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:23.500 The Word is a person. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:29.660 He was with God in the beginning. 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:30.439 Verse 2. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.180 This one. 00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:34.360 The Word. 00:04:36.420 --> 00:04:37.620 Was with God. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:38.519 And was God. 00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:39.300 Back then. 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:41.060 In the beginning. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:46.040 But not just the beginning. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:47.779 The very beginning. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:53.860 John is pointing us all the way back to before the world was made. 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:57.300 And we know this in verse 3 because he talks about it. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:58.480 He says through him. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:00.100 Through the Word. 00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:01.759 All things were made. 00:05:02.400 --> 00:05:03.600 Without him. 00:05:04.280 --> 00:05:05.560 Nothing was made. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:07.100 That has been made. 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:12.180 Even before the universe was created. 00:05:12.900 --> 00:05:14.120 Back then. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:17.160 This one who was with God. 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:19.759 And was God. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:21.160 Was there. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:22.420 The Word. 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:26.580 Who is the Word. 00:05:26.580 --> 00:05:26.600 Who is the Word. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:31.520 As we follow through and read what John has written here. 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:33.120 It gets clearer and clearer. 00:05:34.340 --> 00:05:35.020 In verse 4. 00:05:35.900 --> 00:05:39.060 John refers to the Word by two other names. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:40.200 The life. 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:42.120 And the light. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:44.460 In him was life. 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:49.040 And the life was the light of all mankind. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:49.360 Kind. 00:05:51.520 --> 00:05:53.260 John then goes on to tell us. 00:05:53.700 --> 00:05:54.180 That. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:56.140 The Word. 00:05:56.140 --> 00:05:57.939 Who was with God. 00:05:58.020 --> 00:05:59.319 And was God at the beginning. 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:01.200 He is the light. 00:06:01.400 --> 00:06:01.980 That John. 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:03.200 The baptizer. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:04.120 Came. 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:05.580 To testify to. 00:06:05.840 --> 00:06:07.020 And to bear witness about. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:08.939 In verses 6 to 8. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:12.300 Then down in verse 9. 00:06:12.460 --> 00:06:13.560 John tells us that. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:14.560 This one. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.379 The Word. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:17.339 The light. 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:19.319 Was coming. 00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:20.740 Into the world. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:23.699 Then down in verse 11. 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:24.560 He says. 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:25.279 He. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:26.339 Not just coming. 00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:27.339 But he came. 00:06:28.719 --> 00:06:29.680 Past tense. 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:31.180 He came. 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:32.659 To those who were his own. 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:35.560 Verse 10. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:37.480 He was in. 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:38.719 The world. 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.759 He was here. 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:43.219 He. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:44.000 He lived. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:45.000 Among us. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:50.219 And by the time we get down to verse 14. 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:51.800 It starts to become really clear. 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:52.420 Just who. 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:53.120 John. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.079 Is talking about. 00:06:54.159 --> 00:06:54.519 When he. 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:55.259 Says. 00:06:55.579 --> 00:06:56.120 The Word. 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:57.319 Verse 14. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:58.019 The Word. 00:06:58.360 --> 00:06:58.920 Became. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:06:59.800 Flesh. 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:02.219 And made his dwelling among us. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:04.600 We have seen his glory. 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:07.079 The glory of the one and only. 00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:08.000 Son. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:09.399 Who came. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:10.120 From. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:11.000 The Father. 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:13.100 This is who the Word is. 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:14.779 The Son. 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:17.579 He is God. 00:07:18.299 --> 00:07:19.500 He is the Son. 00:07:20.159 --> 00:07:20.699 The Son. 00:07:21.039 --> 00:07:21.779 Of the Father. 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:25.439 John goes on in verse 15. 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:27.039 To remind us again. 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:28.039 This is the one. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:28.859 That. 00:07:29.119 --> 00:07:29.819 That John. 00:07:29.979 --> 00:07:31.019 The Baptizer. 00:07:31.799 --> 00:07:32.619 Testified about. 00:07:33.619 --> 00:07:33.959 This. 00:07:34.339 --> 00:07:34.639 Son. 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:36.199 The light. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:36.859 The Word. 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:36.939 God. 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:39.100 And finally. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:40.420 Down in verse 17. 00:07:40.580 --> 00:07:41.680 John refers to him. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:42.699 By the name that we. 00:07:43.160 --> 00:07:44.600 Know him best by. 00:07:45.400 --> 00:07:45.879 Jesus. 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:47.139 Christ. 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:50.660 And the rest of the story. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:51.520 Goes on from here. 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:52.439 In verse 29. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:53.660 The story. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:54.120 About. 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:54.900 Jesus. 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:55.060 Jesus. 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:57.359 This is the story. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:07:58.179 Of. 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:58.939 Jesus. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.159 The Christ. 00:08:02.039 --> 00:08:02.879 But John. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:04.259 Wants us to get something. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.060 Before we. 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:07.199 Go on and hear the story of Jesus. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:09.379 The. 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:10.419 The question that we're. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:12.000 We're asking this morning. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.500 Is what child is this? 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:15.539 Who is this? 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:16.599 This baby. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:17.679 In the manger. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:20.500 John's answer. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:20.879 Is that. 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:22.180 This. 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:22.900 Jesus. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.519 He didn't have his beginning. 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:28.019 In the womb of his mother Mary. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:30.220 No. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:31.340 He goes. 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:33.120 His story goes way back. 00:08:33.580 --> 00:08:33.940 To the. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:34.799 To the beginning. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.419 Before. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:36.659 Our world. 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.659 As we know it was created. 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:39.080 Back then. 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:39.980 He was. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:42.399 He was with God. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:43.799 He was. 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:44.419 God. 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:45.259 This. 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:45.960 One. 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:47.340 Is the one. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.500 Who in verse 14. 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:48.980 He says. 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:49.879 The word. 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:50.860 Became. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:51.899 Flesh. 00:08:53.340 --> 00:08:54.259 And lived. 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:55.060 Among us. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.420 The word. 00:08:58.519 --> 00:08:59.019 Became. 00:08:59.460 --> 00:08:59.980 Flesh. 00:09:00.820 --> 00:09:01.780 And made. 00:09:01.780 --> 00:09:02.800 His dwelling. 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:03.940 Among us. 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:07.899 The one. 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:08.639 Who. 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:09.620 Was God. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:10.500 And was with God. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.400 In the beginning. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:11.800 He. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.019 He took on. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.280 Human flesh. 00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:16.160 He became. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:17.819 One of us. 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:21.279 In order to live. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:22.519 Among us. 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.120 What an. 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:28.759 What a. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:29.299 What a. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:29.879 Wonderful. 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:31.079 Act. 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:31.939 Of humility. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.699 The great. 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:34.059 And. 00:09:34.459 --> 00:09:35.019 Glorious. 00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:35.699 Eternal. 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:36.600 Son. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:37.539 God. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:38.120 The son. 00:09:39.959 --> 00:09:40.600 Became. 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:41.600 Flesh. 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:42.340 The one. 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:42.860 Through whom. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.040 All things. 00:09:44.040 --> 00:09:44.700 Were created. 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:45.519 Became. 00:09:46.420 --> 00:09:47.019 Himself. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:48.420 One of. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:49.240 The created. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:50.480 Things. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.220 Not himself. 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:52.800 Created. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:53.019 But. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:54.000 Like us. 00:09:54.060 --> 00:09:54.720 In every way. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:55.560 Human. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:57.620 Flesh. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:05.039 It wasn't. 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:05.980 An exchange. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.000 It wasn't. 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:07.379 That he. 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:08.240 Traded. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:08.860 His. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:10.519 His deity. 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:11.580 His godness. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.299 For. 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:13.320 Humanity. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:14.759 It was. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.200 A humble. 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:15.740 Addition. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.200 The word. 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:19.879 Became. 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:20.919 Flesh. 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:22.299 Paul. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:22.700 Helps us. 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:23.220 To see this. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:23.480 Really. 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:23.919 Clearly. 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:25.000 In his letter. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:25.980 To the Colossians. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:28.300 This is what he says there. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:28.740 He says. 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:29.980 For in Christ. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.279 In Christ. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:32.940 Jesus. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.700 The one that. 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.180 That. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:35.240 That you've seen. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:36.960 Performing these miracles. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.120 And walking around. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:38.420 And. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.019 And teaching the people. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:42.720 The one who died. 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:44.340 The one who was raised back to life. 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.060 In him. 00:10:45.180 --> 00:10:45.980 In Christ. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:48.080 All the fullness. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:49.879 Of deity. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:51.539 Lives. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.539 In bodily form. 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:56.379 In. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.120 Let that sink in. 00:10:57.180 --> 00:10:57.700 For a moment. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.800 In Christ. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:03.120 All the fullness. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.399 Of deity. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:06.740 Lives. 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:08.420 In bodily form. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:11.460 This is who. 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:12.740 Jesus. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.500 Was. 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:15.480 And is. 00:11:16.420 --> 00:11:17.659 He didn't exchange. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.300 His deity. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.300 For humanity. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:19.700 He. 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:20.200 He. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.120 He added. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:22.259 Humanity. 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:23.180 To his. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:24.200 Deity. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:30.200 Which means. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:31.000 That as we turn. 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:31.780 To look at. 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.540 And consider. 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:33.680 The manger. 00:11:34.140 --> 00:11:35.000 And this child. 00:11:35.160 --> 00:11:36.280 Lying in the manger. 00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:38.120 Who is this child? 00:11:40.160 --> 00:11:41.180 This baby. 00:11:42.020 --> 00:11:42.920 Is the one. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.259 In whom. 00:11:43.420 --> 00:11:44.280 All the fullness. 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:46.060 Of deity. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.060 Lives. 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:48.540 Bodily. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.440 He is truly. 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:52.460 God. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:54.940 The son. 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:55.660 Of God. 00:11:57.040 --> 00:11:58.080 That night. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:00.200 In Bethlehem. 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:00.840 Mary. 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.100 Held. 00:12:04.160 --> 00:12:04.720 God. 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.519 In her arms. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.259 An amazing thing. 00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:12.940 The creator. 00:12:13.420 --> 00:12:14.740 The one through whom all things. 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:15.620 Were made. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.060 Held. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.639 In the arms. 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.460 Of the created. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:20.660 Did. 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:26.259 He was truly. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:26.720 God. 00:12:28.660 --> 00:12:29.259 And. 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:31.360 He became. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.220 Truly. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.080 Human. 00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:36.500 Jesus. 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:37.280 Was conceived. 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:37.600 By. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.420 By the Holy Spirit. 00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:40.080 In the womb. 00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:40.920 Of Mary. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.220 Which Luke tells us. 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:43.100 In his gospel. 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:46.240 And from that point on. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.060 He went through. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.440 The stages. 00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:49.360 Of. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:50.159 Human. 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:50.860 Development. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:51.740 In the womb. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:52.980 Just as we do. 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.800 He came through. 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:56.740 The birth canal. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.940 Just as we do. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.279 He took his. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.060 First. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:02.920 Breath. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:06.279 With human lungs. 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.800 Just as we do. 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:11.139 His umbilical cord. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:11.740 Was cut. 00:13:13.099 --> 00:13:14.299 Just as ours. 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.019 Was. 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.279 He was truly. 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:18.379 Human. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.219 How human. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.359 Just. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.000 How. 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:24.779 Human. 00:13:25.099 --> 00:13:26.279 There are many passages. 00:13:26.959 --> 00:13:28.139 In the New Testament. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.639 In the gospels. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.919 That point to this. 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:34.299 We're not going to look at all of them. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:34.819 This morning. 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:35.899 But we get. 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.519 At least one answer. 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.299 Or one clue. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.099 In verse 10. 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.919 He was in the world. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:42.919 And though the world. 00:13:43.099 --> 00:13:43.539 Was made. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.259 Through him. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.819 The world. 00:13:46.219 --> 00:13:46.939 Did not. 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.179 Recognize him. 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.159 The world. 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:50.699 Did not. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:51.919 Recognize. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.399 Him. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.139 Why didn't they. 00:13:55.339 --> 00:13:55.980 Recognize him. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.559 This is a big question. 00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:59.500 And there's more than one. 00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.179 Right answer. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:01.679 To this question. 00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:02.699 But at least. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.679 A part of the reason. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:04.599 For why they didn't. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:05.539 Recognize him. 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:06.719 Was because. 00:14:06.859 --> 00:14:07.399 He was so. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:07.959 Truly. 00:14:08.459 --> 00:14:08.819 Human. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.299 That when they. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:11.079 Looked at him. 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:13.000 They didn't see. 00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:13.719 Any difference. 00:14:14.359 --> 00:14:14.719 Between. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:15.359 Him. 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.699 And any other. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:17.959 Human being. 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.579 He didn't. 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.639 Come into our world. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:21.919 With. 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:23.299 A glowing face. 00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:24.479 Or with. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.159 Little. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.539 Beams of light. 00:14:26.599 --> 00:14:27.240 Or glory. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:27.759 Kind of. 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.539 Leaking out of his pores. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:31.779 If he had. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.299 They might. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:32.559 Had. 00:14:32.719 --> 00:14:34.019 Have recognized him. 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.259 For who he was. 00:14:35.599 --> 00:14:36.339 But no. 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.219 He was truly. 00:14:37.219 --> 00:14:37.839 Human. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.079 Just like us. 00:14:41.239 --> 00:14:42.620 When they looked at him. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:43.500 Apart from. 00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:44.959 The works that he did. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.239 And the things that he said. 00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:47.599 And the things that God said. 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.239 About him. 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.259 He looked. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.599 Just like. 00:14:51.739 --> 00:14:52.639 Any other man. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:55.259 He felt. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.460 Just like any other. 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.059 Man. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.220 To the touch. 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.139 He was truly. 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.019 Human. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.860 And one of the places. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.860 That we see this. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.480 It's a passage. 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.319 That's one of been. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.480 One of my favorite passages. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.220 This year. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.019 Matthew chapter 16. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:10.620 Verse 1. 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:11.639 The. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.500 The religious leaders. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.899 They. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.299 They have a bit of a meeting. 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:17.120 With Jesus. 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:19.139 This is. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.039 After he's. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.940 An adult. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:23.940 And he's already been doing miracles. 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.019 He's been. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:26.820 Healing all kinds of people. 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:28.220 He's been casting out demons. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.159 He's been feeding. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:30.500 Thousands. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:33.580 Doing all kinds of signs. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.720 And word is spreading about him. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.840 And the people are coming. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:39.220 They're trying to form this conclusion. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.679 About who he is. 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:40.879 And. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:43.680 Many think that at the very least. 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:45.299 He is a prophet of the Lord. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:48.360 And some. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.399 Believe. 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.299 That he is. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.000 The Messiah. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.460 And the religious leaders. 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.360 They come to him. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:54.659 It says. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:56.139 The Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:57.159 Came to Jesus. 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.360 And tested him. 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:00.060 By asking him. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.299 To show them. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.120 A sign. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.139 From heaven. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.200 Why did they need a sign? 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:11.039 Why did they ask him for. 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.240 A sign? 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:17.879 We hear what the people are saying about you. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.419 Jesus. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.759 Show us a sign. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:24.100 And we'll believe. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.799 That it's true. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.960 The reason that they asked for a sign. 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.419 Is because. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.480 To them. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:34.159 As they looked at him. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.960 They saw. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.960 Just an ordinary guy. 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:39.220 Just another human being. 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:41.340 Like any one of us. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.500 That's how. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.200 Human. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.080 Jesus was. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.360 That the world did not. 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.700 Recognize him. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.220 Sometimes. 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.460 I think we take. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.899 His humanity for granted. 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.799 Many of us were. 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:56.279 Raised in strong. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.080 Christian homes. 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:57.620 Where we. 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:58.799 You know. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.080 We've. 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.600 We've heard. 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.620 Jesus is God. 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.560 Jesus is God. 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.340 Jesus is God. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.840 We've read. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.500 John 1. 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.700 Many times. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.559 He is. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.180 God. 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.099 Yes. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.000 Truly God. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.380 As we. 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.039 As we. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.059 Saw earlier. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.200 But he was also. 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.299 Truly human. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.380 Both. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.539 At the same time. 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.400 Jesus didn't. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.940 Pretend. 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.000 To be. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:23.660 Human. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.440 He didn't. 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:26.640 Just. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.740 Put on a show. 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.339 For people. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:29.920 And. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.160 And. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.079 And fake it. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.700 When he. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.759 Said to the crowd. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.859 Who touched me? 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:38.159 Or when he. 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:38.740 Said to his. 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.299 Disciples. 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.500 That he did not know. 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.379 The time. 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:41.779 Of his. 00:17:41.919 --> 00:17:42.259 Return. 00:17:44.699 --> 00:17:45.419 He didn't. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.619 Just put on an act. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.919 All along. 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.519 As he was. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.139 Growing up. 00:17:50.199 --> 00:17:50.479 And Luke. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:50.979 Tells us. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.659 That he grew. 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:52.459 In wisdom. 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.259 He was. 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:55.740 Truly. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.559 Human. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:56.639 Human. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.159 These things. 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:01.639 Are difficult. 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.159 For us. 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:02.460 To. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.000 To even. 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.319 Begin. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:04.940 To grasp. 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.879 How could he. 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.539 Be both. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.919 At the same time. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.440 Truly. 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:09.279 Man. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.059 And truly. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:11.859 God. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.440 But this is. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:15.619 This. 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.480 What the scriptures. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.119 Teach. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.500 This is what they. 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:18.879 Clearly. 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.579 Point to. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.679 This reality. 00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.759 That he was both. 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:24.099 At the same time. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.079 He was. 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.579 Every bit of human. 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:27.759 As we are. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.859 And he was. 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:30.500 Every bit. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.500 Of God. 00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.399 As God. 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:32.859 Is. 00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:34.359 And yet. 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.099 One person. 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:36.980 Jesus. 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:38.659 The son. 00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:39.519 Of God. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.019 This is who. 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.319 The baby. 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.779 Lying in a manger. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.500 That night. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.279 Was. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.799 And it's difficult. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.220 For us. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.960 To understand. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.119 How could this. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.079 Even be possible. 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.659 And we try. 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.419 We. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.079 We try. 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.799 And. 00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:58.659 And imagine. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.059 As. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:00.899 Mary. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.059 Held him. 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:03.859 In her arms. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.639 Was Jesus. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.119 Kind of. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.259 Looking up at her. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.019 And just thinking. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.679 To himself. 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:11.119 If you only knew. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:11.639 Mary. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.759 Just who you're holding. 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:12.819 Nothing. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.720 But at the same time. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.319 With respect. 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.240 To his humanity. 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.559 We might imagine. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.279 That. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:23.839 He. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.720 He thought. 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.220 And saw. 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.119 Just the same. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.539 As any other. 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.619 Newborn did. 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.359 How could it be both? 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.640 We simply don't understand. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.460 It's a mystery. 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:37.680 It's. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.960 It's a beautiful mystery. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.120 That God has done. 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.920 Here. 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.039 We only know. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.600 About being. 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:45.160 Human. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.720 That's our experience. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.640 We don't know. 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.500 About being both. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.380 God. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:50.920 And. 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:51.840 Man. 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.440 Human. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.340 At the same. 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.120 Time. 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.640 One of the verses. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:19:59.940 That. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.539 Really. 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.660 Makes us think. 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.460 And wonder. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.680 Which I love. 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.320 About Jesus. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.960 Is. 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:06.679 Hebrews. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.019 One. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:07.279 Verse. 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:07.599 Three. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.379 It says. 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.779 This. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.519 Referring to. 00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.279 The son. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.039 Jesus. 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.279 Not. 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.019 Not the son. 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.000 In the sky. 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.700 But the son. 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.559 Of the father. 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.599 It says. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:19.859 This. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.240 It says. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:20.859 The son. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:21.659 Is. 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:23.059 The radiance. 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.639 Of God's glory. 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.819 And the exact. 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.119 Representation. 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.599 Of his being. 00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.599 Sustaining. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:33.000 All things. 00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:34.359 By his. 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.299 Powerful word. 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:38.259 I love that. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.639 Jesus. 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.079 Is. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.599 The son. 00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:41.099 Of God. 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.439 Who. 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.200 Is. 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.279 Sustaining. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.579 All things. 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.639 By his. 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.700 Powerful word. 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.259 The way. 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.500 Paul. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:48.859 Says it. 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:49.299 In his letter. 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:50.240 To the Colossians. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:50.939 In him. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.939 All things. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:52.700 Hold. 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.460 Together. 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.599 This. 00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:56.759 Is. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.379 The mystery. 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.159 Of the incarnation. 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.579 As. 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.000 Mary. 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:02.759 Is. 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:03.539 Holding. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.319 This. 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:05.659 Child. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.480 This baby. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.879 In her arms. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:12.000 At the very same time. 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.799 This one. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.680 This son. 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.960 Is holding her. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.659 And the whole universe. 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.460 Together. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.399 At the same moment. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:25.900 This. 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:25.940 This. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:27.120 This child. 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.640 Who. 00:21:28.780 --> 00:21:29.220 With respect. 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.700 To his. 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:30.740 Humanity. 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.800 Is unable. 00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:32.960 To speak a word. 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.840 He cries. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.120 To communicate. 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.759 Just like all newborns do. 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:38.640 With respect. 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.420 To his deity. 00:21:39.780 --> 00:21:41.240 At that same moment. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.380 He is speaking. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.019 The words. 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.759 Which hold. 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:44.980 Everything. 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.880 In the universe. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.420 Together. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.620 And keep it all. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.660 From flying apart. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:48.740 Heart. 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.220 This. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:52.680 Is. 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.640 The mystery. 00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:55.160 Of the incarnation. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.759 This child. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.519 This gift. 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.400 That we've been given. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.400 What is it? 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:03.160 It's the gift. 00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:04.420 Of God. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.940 Himself. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.420 Come down. 00:22:07.540 --> 00:22:08.400 Into our world. 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.900 In the most. 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:09.560 Intimate. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.000 Way. 00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:10.880 Possible. 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.880 In the most. 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:12.680 Humble. 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:13.019 Way. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:13.880 Possible. 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.800 It's wonderful. 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:21.120 I love the words. 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.720 Of Graham. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.480 Kendrick. 00:22:22.800 --> 00:22:23.680 In his song. 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.860 Meekness. 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.100 And. 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.200 Majesty. 00:22:29.560 --> 00:22:30.240 Manhood. 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.279 And. 00:22:31.560 --> 00:22:32.000 Deity. 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.060 In perfect. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.620 Harmony. 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.140 The man. 00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:37.540 Who is God. 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.259 Lord. 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.120 Of eternity. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.100 Dwells. 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:42.640 In. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.660 Humanity. 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.860 Oh. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.740 What a mystery. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.779 Bow. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.259 Down. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.500 And. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.039 Worship. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.980 For this. 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.660 Is. 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.240 Our. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:52.779 God. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.120 This. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.420 One. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.700 John. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.240 Tells us. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.940 In verse 10. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.220 Was. 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.099 In the world. 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.700 He was here. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.380 Among us. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.299 And. 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:06.819 Though the world. 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.319 Was made. 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:07.859 Through him. 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.420 The world. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.000 Did not. 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.420 Recognize him. 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.079 He came. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.500 To those. 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.200 Who were his own. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.400 But his own. 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.099 Did not. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.720 Receive him. 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.420 On the whole. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.140 This one. 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.120 Was in the world. 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:18.400 Here. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.039 Among us. 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.779 And yet. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.440 He was not. 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.200 Recognized. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.640 He was not. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.640 Received. 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.680 On the whole. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.400 Yet. 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.299 Says. 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:29.700 John. 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.559 To all. 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.059 Who did. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.860 Receive him. 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.000 Some. 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:33.319 Did. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.059 Receive him. 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.000 Some. 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.420 Did. 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.339 Believe. 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.440 In his name. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.200 John. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:40.700 Says. 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.259 We. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.559 Have. 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.100 Seen. 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.920 His glory. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:45.779 The glory. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.759 Of the one. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.340 And only. 00:23:47.340 --> 00:23:47.840 Son. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.000 Who came. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.759 From the father. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.660 Full of grace. 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.300 And truth. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.259 We have seen. 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:56.980 His glory. 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.620 You didn't see it. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.880 Leaking out of his pores. 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:01.279 Or his face glowing. 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:04.039 How did John see it? 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:07.960 That's what the rest of this gospel is all about. 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:08.860 It's what John. 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:09.640 Saw. 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.940 Of the glory. 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.380 Of Jesus. 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:13.860 The son. 00:24:17.300 --> 00:24:18.280 And it's written. 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:18.960 So that. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.980 We too. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.040 Might believe in his name. 00:24:23.040 --> 00:24:24.360 And receive him. 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.540 And be. 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.680 Come. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.880 Children of God. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.820 And receive this. 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.900 Precious gift. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.320 Of eternal life. 00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:36.540 This whole book. 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.360 Of John. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:37.960 And especially. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.920 This first section. 00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:39.980 Could be summed up. 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.220 In the words. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.680 Of the Christmas carol. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.079 That we. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:45.059 That we've already been singing a lot. 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.960 In this past week. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.120 Veiled. 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.259 In flesh. 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.539 The Godhead. 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.440 See. 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.680 Hail. 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.720 The incarnate. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.500 Deity. 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.099 Pleased as man. 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.460 With men. 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.200 To dwell. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:05.140 Jesus. 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:05.299 Jesus. 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.580 Our. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.519 Emmanuel. 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.240 This is the child. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:10.840 Whose birth. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.740 That we celebrate. 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.799 At Christmas. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.140 And so as we. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.220 Prepare to. 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.059 To gather. 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.960 With our family. 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.400 Maybe for some of us. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:20.840 To have. 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.440 Hopefully some quiet moments. 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:22.779 Too. 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.960 Of reflection. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.940 And meditation. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.700 In both of those moments. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.799 The quiet moments. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:31.759 And the loud moments. 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.559 Of celebration. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.319 May our joy. 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:34.759 Be full. 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:36.180 Because of this precious gift. 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.519 That God has given us. 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.799 The baby in a manger. 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.359 The gift. 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.240 Of God. 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.019 Himself. 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:43.619 The gift. 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.200 Of his son. 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.319 Let's pray. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.299 Father in heaven. 00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:53.159 What can we say. 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.220 But thank you. 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:56.299 This is. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.379 This is amazing. 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:59.299 We don't understand it completely. 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:02.079 But we praise you. 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.720 That you. 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:03.339 Have. 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.460 Given yourself. 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:04.980 To us. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.639 Like this. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.019 We love you. 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.960 We adore you. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.579 You're worthy. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.819 Of all of our worship. 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.159 Of all of our praise. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.440 Of. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.539 Of everything. 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.819 We could possibly give. 00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:16.399 And more. 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.599 To your name. 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:19.259 Be the glory. 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.399 Forever. 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.579 Amen. 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:22.740 Amen.