In John 1:14, Jesus becomes the visible expression of an invisible God. The message bible puts it this way, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”

All the splendor of God was put-on full display for everyone to see. God’s love now beat in the human heart. His wisdom was now spoken from human lips. His grace was now available by the human touch. Jesus was God wrapped in human flesh.

Greg Laurie in an article called God with Skin on tells a story of a little boy who was frightened at night during a thunderstorm. He cried out to his father, “Help me.” From the other room, his Daddy shouts back, “Son, God loves you and will take care of you.” The storm rages on. Another bolt of lightning and the clap of thunder caused the boy to cry out again, “Daddy!” His Daddy gave the same response, “Son, God loves you and will take care of you.” The storm intensifies and the little boy screams out again, and Daddy’s response was the same. Then the little boy shouts back to his dad, Daddy, I know God loves me, but right now I need someone with skin on. As we face the struggles of life, I believe we all need a God with skin on.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but God came and put on flesh, to let you know there is nothing he cannot do. If you need mercy look to Jesus and see how he granted mercy to the woman brought before him to be stoned. If you need comfort, look at how Jesus was moved by the death of Lazarus. If you need forgiveness, look at how Jesus told the thief on the cross “you shall be with me in paradise” this day. Jesus stepped out of heaven and came to earth so you and me could see God.

Let me close with this. Maybe the saddest words of the bible are recorded in John 1:10. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” The creator was rejected by the created. Jesus came, to bring everyone light and life according to John 8:12. The question is, will you receive Him, or will you reject him? If you haven’t accepted him, can I encourage you this morning to do it before it’s too late. Jesus is coming back to gather all those who received Him, and to cast those who don’t into the darkness of hell. If you have questions, please leave me a note, I’d love to talk with you about the God who came to earth to carry away the sin of the world.