Timothy Tow preaches about the profound truth of the Tao in Taoism, as explored by Lao Zi, and its connection to the Biblical concept of the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ. While Lao Zi touched upon the mystery of the Tao, salvation can only come through God's special revelation, which was fulfilled by sending His Son to live among us. Through the incarnation of the Son of God, the Word, Tao, is fully revealed, offering the opportunity for humanity to become the sons of God through belief in Jesus Christ.

Text: "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" (Jn 1:14 ). The religions that have dominated China are three, viz. Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism (though Christianity is now coming up). Does any of these three religions seek to know the God of the universe? Of the three it is Taoism that tries to seek the deepest truth. The founder of Taoism is Lao Zi. He was born about 600 BC. He wrote the famous Tao Teh Ching, a small book of 5,000 words, but most profound. Lao Zi said: Something mysteriously already made, Existing before heaven and earth In the silence and the void, Standing alone and unchanging Ever present in constant motion Perhaps he is the source of myriads of things I do not know his name Call him Tao, For lack of a better word, I call Him "the Almighty". Tao is the word that translates the Biblical word "Logos" which the Greeks thought is the mediator, the Word, from which the world has come about. Tao means "the Way." Lao Zi amazingly gave to the Creator the name of Tao (which, as noted, is also called the Word by the Greeks). Lao Zi believed the universe was created ex nihilo , out of nothing, from something. "Heaven and earth have been created from something. Something has come from nothing." Such profound statements about the Tao attracted the attention of Confucius, born 551 BC. Confucius visited Lao Zi in his old age and learned the mystery of the Tao . Confucius being a philosopher of ethics and not of metaphysics, nevertheless, bowed to the teachings of Lao Zi. He humbly declared, "If I should know of the Tao in the morning, I am prepared to die in the evening". Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. (Job 11:7-9) Though Lao Zi has touched upon the mystery of the Tao he is like building a ladder to reach heaven. He has such knowledge of God as derived from the cosmological or teleological argument. But this knowledge cannot lead him unto salvation. The saving knowledge must come from God, by special revelation. By God sending His Son, born of the Virgin, that He might live among us. Thus, "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" (Jn 1:14 ). The fact that Christ took on himself the form of flesh, He did so that He might live a human life from babyhood to manhood. He went through all our human experiences, of sorrow and suffering, yet without sin. Thus, he is able to sympathise with us. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb 4:15). Without our Lord, the Son of God becoming Man to save us, by paying the penalty of our sins on the cross and rising again the third day, we would forever be lost. But with His full revelation to us He is able to take us with Him to Heaven. The Word, Tao , by the incarnation of the Son of God, is fully revealed. He, the Son of God has become the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God. This is the wonderful Christmas message that we preach to you. Too many people are trying to work their way to Heaven. By doing good according to the precepts of their religion they think they can gain entrance. But God declares all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isa 64:6). "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (Jas 2:10 ). The only way to being saved is to come humbly to Him and ask Him to come into your heart. And He will save you, that the sons of men will become the sons of God. The Tao of Lao Zi is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not . . . He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 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 bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." (Jn 1:4-5, 11-16). Amen.