And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16
Without controversy, without argument, without doubt, the mystery surrounding God’s nature and outworkings are deep, very deep. This having been said, the above verse sums up with the greatest economy of words the mission of Christ to our planet.
First off, God was manifested in flesh; the invisible God took on human form. Jesus was and is the eternal Creator in a package of skin, muscle, blood, and bone.
The next point states that he was justified in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit confirmed, revealed, and celebrated who Christ was. Those who approached the Savior in faith heard that still, small voice within them saying, “This is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Then, He was seen by angels. They had observed the Master since the beginning of time, but this time they weren’t looking up at Him as the Great God of the Universe; they were gazing down at Planet Earth to see God’s grace and mercy revealed.
Preached among the Gentiles? Yes, preached to the whole world. This God manifested in flesh, and the grace that brought Him here was too great for just one nation or people. He had to be preached to all.
The result of that was that He was believed on in the world. “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). The answer is yes.
Finally, God Manifested in Flesh was raised up in glory to resume His daily running of everything that is matter and energy. We can’t see Him now, nor can we physically hear or touch Him. But one day very soon, He will come to earth again, and then people will say, “There He is: God Manifested in the Flesh.”
June 13
