Mark Carey writes:

Incarnation is the word we use for God becoming flesh - dwelling among us for a purpose.

Jesus is the principle and the practice of the incarnation. John 1:1-14 makes it clear that Jesus comes as the living message of the Father - God becoming human - flesh

So, we are to be similar to Him - living our lives based on the fundamental truth of Jesus - fleshing out as He did - what He did.

There is only one incarnation - Jesus. Yet we get to live it out. As someone once put it:

“Beggars showing other beggars where the bread is”.

Incarnation is the forceful advance of our saving God into a world of darkness. Emphatic action yet:

• In humility

• In gentleness and loving kindness

• In self-sacrifice and serving

• In authoritative confidence that the darkness can’t overcome the light

Jesus came as the word - the message - He is the teacher, curriculum, classroom

He is all and everything we need!

He comes as:

• involved, not detached

• participant not avoidant

• alongside and with, not over and to

What is the application of Incarnation on our lives?

Incarnation means - Living Well with Limitations

• Jesus able to act in and through His divine nature within the limits of human existence.

• As those who are given the right to be children of God - we get the benefit of the divine being made known in our ordinary circumstances

Incarnation means: Mission impossible is possible:

• I'm not Jesus, but in me Jesus is made known, I am a child of God

• We are sent into the world in a similar way to Jesus but with a different mission

• I won't always be received or recognised - just as Jesus wasn't

Incarnation means: It is all about Jesus and self-giving:

• The way of Jesus is not complex and easy; it is simple and hard

• It's not about fancy tools and strategies it's about a person

• It is about laying your life down

• If you are in the room – stay in the room - love one another and stay with one another

Incarnation means: You have a choice:

You must choose Incarnation over two other possibilities

• Separation or Assimilation

Separation - Us and them mentality. Fearful avoidance eg taint. Condemnation of others.

• Let us stop being condemning of others

Assimilation - absorption so becoming indistinct and indistinguishable.

• Loss of saltiness and light.

• We are supposed to be distinctive

Incarnation is the way and life of Jesus, and it is our way…

• It’s getting involved in the muck and mess of a world as those who are receivers of His light

• It’s about taking the risk of contamination on the basis that Jesus “touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean”

It’s about:

• Being involved, not detached

• Being participants not avoiders

• Being alongside and with, not over and to

• Not functioning in condemnation of others

• Shining as lights in the darkness

That’s pretty distinctive. Join the revolution!

Reverend Canon Mark Carey Leader CCBN