The Ultimate Mission Trip
Verse of the Day
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Today’s Devotional
The Word, which is Jesus, became flesh. The fact that this is even possible points to the deity of Jesus. The fact that God the Son chose to “make his dwelling among us” shows me His love and compassion. This makes me think of missionaries who move to foreign lands for years in order to build relationships with the people they are trying to serve.
I have been on several mission trips, but each one was only about a week and for a specific purpose, like erecting a building. I know several families who have moved to other countries for years. They learned new languages and became fully integrated into the culture of the place they were living, all with the purpose of sharing the gospel of Jesus. Can you imagine how difficult and uncomfortable that would be?
Jesus displays for us the ultimate mission trip. Thirty three years. That’s how long Jesus was out of his heavenly element in order to procure our salvation. I’m uncomfortable being out of my element even if it’s only for a few days. Especially if the place is “new” to me. Imagine how uncomfortable this earth must have felt to Jesus when his normal home was in the perfect world of heaven.
Many times I have heard people say that God is more concerned with my character than my comfort. But as humans, we spend a lot of time and effort trying to be comfortable. However, if we are to be molded and changed in order to become more like Jesus, maybe discomfort is one of the tools that God uses to shape us. (Please note: I do not like this. At all.)
Jesus willingly chose to obey the Father and take on human form. The commentaries say that the language John uses in this verse mirrors the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, which was God’s dwelling place among the Israelites. This “Tent” was the center of the community, as their entire lives were supposed to revolve around their devotion to the God who chose to reside among them. That same concept is true for us today. Our entire lives should revolve around our devotion to Jesus, who chose to dwell among us on this earth. Then after accomplishing His mission, He left a Helper, who resides within us.
Lastly, notice the last phrase of this verse: “full of grace and truth”. Jesus personifies both grace and truth. He shows us that we cannot have one without the other. One scholar, G. Campbell Morgan, says it this way: “God is grace, and truth. Not one without the other. Not the other apart from the one. In His government there can be no lowering of the simple and severe standard of Truth; and there is no departure from the purpose and passion of Grace.”
Jesus came here. He chose to be uncomfortable for years. He obeyed the call to the cross. He did all of this because the truth is that ‘everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.’ (Romans 3:23) The grace is that ‘God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.’ (Romans 5:8) Both truth and grace are very real. Jesus tied them together to set us free. THAT is the glory of God revealed in the person of Jesus.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
How well do you handle discomfort?
How well do you handle someone else’s discomfort?
How can you behave toward others today that displays your affection for and appreciation of the sacrifice of Jesus?
What selfishness do you need to turn away from in order to be more like Jesus?
How can you orient your life (your thoughts, words, and actions) to revolve around the grace and truth of Jesus?