By Deaconess Sarah Longmire

Have you ever considered the reality that Jesus went through the stages of development within Mary? I have friends who, when pregnant, use an app that compares their babies’ sizes to a fruit or vegetable. Consider that Jesus was once the size of an apple! Of a cantaloupe! While we don’t know His exact “birth stats” about size, length, and weight, we can be sure that He developed as any baby would.

Consider too that Jesus had regular bodily needs: He needed rest. He needed food. He felt thirst. He experienced all the needs that we do. Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV) states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

As we enter the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we rejoice that our Savior is born. We reflect on the need for a Savior and the perfect faithfulness that God shows us—His kept promise that give us eternal salvation. And yet, how often do we skip over the details about Jesus “in the flesh?”

I know that I am always very aware of how I feel in the flesh—the cold makes my body hurt; a forgotten item at the grocery store causes my dinner recipe to fail (so now I’m hungry!); a trip to physical therapy reminds me of my frailty—and the list can go on.

I feel the wages of sin in my body. I suffer under the brokenness of this world. I’ll admit that I too can forget that God loves and redeemed my broken body. I assume I’m on my own to fix it. Lord, forgive me and help me trust You.

Perhaps you too can feel the suffering of this sinful world in your body and yet forget how your faith gives you hope amid that pain. Jesus BECAME FLESH! He felt all that we feel. He developed as we developed. He carried the weight of all sins (but none of His own) and did it out of love for you and love for me—love for this whole world.

Jesus in the flesh was the plan since before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV) states, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” Jesus came bodily to fulfill all that was required and carry our sins to the cross. He defeated all our enemies and gives us victory through Baptism and in His Supper.

This Advent and Christmas, take a moment to consider the gift of Jesus in the flesh. He knows how you suffer and has defeated the cause. He is with you as you wait for relief and has promised you eternal rest and peace in Him.

This month’s study text:

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. John 1:1-18 (ESV)

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever considered Jesus’ bodily development before? What comfort is there in knowing that He went through all the stages of life as we do? 

How does remembering that Jesus came in the flesh give you hope and a renewed sense of peace this season?

Prayer:

Lord God, Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus in the flesh to be our Savior. Thank You that we have hope and confidence in Your promises. Remind us that even in the middle of pain and suffering, we are not alone. Give us comfort and reassurance in our trials and remind us that we are Your beloved children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.