June 24

Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. - 1 Timothy 3:16.

HERE is a combination of Deity and humanity. Such an union is unparalleled in the annals of the whole universe. It is not necessary to prove that the Saviour was really a man. Those who in the beginning of the gospel day, under the notion of doing him honour, contended that his flesh was a mere phantom, and that it was a corporeal appearance only, and not a reality, have long ago disappeared. John much opposed them, and we may observe in his writings how much stress he lays on our believing that he is come in the flesh, that is, that he was really incarnate.

This we fully admit; we know that “a body “was “prepared him.” We know that he “took upon him the nature of the seed of Abraham;” that because the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that “he increased in wisdom,” as well as “in stature;” that he had all the innocent infirmities of our nature; that he hungered, and thirsted, and wept and slept, and groaned in Spirit; and yet we have as much reason from the Scriptures to believe his Deity as to believe his humanity.

The conclusion is undeniable; unless it is allowed that the sacred writers wrote in order to perplex and puzzle, or to lead astray, or, at least, that they should not be understood by the common people and unlettered. For continually, and without any reserve, they ascribe to him the most magnificent titles to be found within the compass of language. They ascribe to him attributes which Deity only can possess-they ascribe to him homage which Deity alone can claim and justify. The union, therefore, is indispensably necessary in order to our understanding and explaining Scripture. We find things said of him which do not agree with him as man, and we find things said of him which do not agree with him as God.

Paul says to the elders of Ephesus, “Feed the flock of God which he hath purchased with his own blood.” He that is Divine cannot bleed, and he that bleeds cannot be Divine, but there may be a union of Deity, and humanity in his wonderful person. And this is the case. John, in the beginning of his Gospel, says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” And yet, says he, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” And Isaiah thus speaks of him; “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Here we have time and eternity blended, the finite and the infinite, the “Child” and the “Mighty God,” the “Son” and the “Everlasting Father.”

Oh! how can these things be? There is the mystery. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”