For Christmas Morning 1767

John 1:14

 
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father),
full of grace and truth.
 
John 1v14#

Have you seen this glory?

Nothing else is worth the thought!
 
 
Introduce and expound the clauses:
1. The Word
Expressing the divine nature and the perfect knowledge of our Redeemer.
2. Made flesh
Implying the reality – and condescension of his incarnation.  His near relation to his people (Hebrews 2) [1] and that he took upon him the human nature, so as to be the proper object of faith, for every sinner.
3. Dwelt
Not a passing visit – but continued for some time – or tabernacled – in allusion to the glory that filled the temple or tabernacle.  His body the true temple made without hands in which all the fullness of the Godhead resides.  He dwelt among us here, and thus he will dwell among his people for ever.
4. His glory
This was veiled to common eyes.  But his people saw something of it, in the wisdom of his discourses, the greatness of his miracles (chapter 2:11), [2] upon the Mount, yea upon the Cross – in saving the dying malefactor.
  So now, there is glory to be beheld in him as preached, though it is hidden from the world.  A glory in his person:
  • condescension
  • love and
  • finishing salvation. 
This glory is full of grace – in opposition to the terrors – and full of truth in opposition to the shadows and types of the Law.  For the first see Hebrews 12:18-24; [3] for the second 1 John 2:8, [4] Matthew 11:11. [5]
1. [Observations]
Have you seen this glory?  Nothing else is worth a thought – without this light you will die in the dark. 

Prayers Ephesians 1:17,18. [6]
2. You that have seen – have only received an earnest – there are greater things behind.  Yet here is an answer to guilt, and Satan.  Here you can plead the law is fulfilled.  Come then with thankful hearts to his banquet, there pay your vows and make known your requests.


Endotes:
[1] Hebrews 2:10-13 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
[2] John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
[3] Hebrews 12:18-24  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
[4] 1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
[5] Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
[6] Ephesians 1:17,18 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,


Acknowledgments:
Manuscript: Newton's Notebook N43, Cowper & Newton Museum Ref 714(19)




 

Marylynn Rouse, 01/11/2019