The Incarnate Word

James Smith, 1842

"The WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth!" John 1:14

The Lord Jesus Christ assumed our nature, that He might . . .
sympathize with us in our sorrows;
obtain our everlasting deliverance from sin, Satan, and Hell;
and supply all our needs according to His glorious riches.

He was rich — yet for our sakes He became poor — that we, through His poverty, might be rich. Unparalleled benevolence! Unexampled love! Savior Jesus! fill us with wonder, gratitude, and love! He was made flesh; He wrapped His Godhead in a human form; He became one with us, and one of us — that we might be one with Him, and one with the Father and the Holy Spirit through Him. He dwelt among His disciples, full of grace and truth. Full of truth to inform their judgments; full of grace to sanctify their hearts. He had truth to delight them, and grace to supply them.

He is still full of grace and truth. He has . . .
grace to pardon all sin;
grace to sanctify your polluted heart;
grace to conquer your powerful corruptions;
grace to subdue your rebellious will, and to bring every thought into subjection to His own blessed will.

He gives freely — without money and without price;
He gives cheerfully — without upbraiding;
He gives frequently — without complaining.

Have you been thinking that your attainments are but small, that your evidences are but weak, that your spirituality is questionable? Jesus is full of grace! He is a fountain ever flowing — a fountain to which you are welcome, for He says, "If any man thirsts — let him come, and take of the fountain of life freely."

The promises He has made are truth, they flowed from his heart; they express His mind at present; and He will make them good to every seeking soul. The supplies He sends us, the answers He gives us — are confirmations of the truth of His word; they are the overflowings of the grace that is in Him. He delights to bestow; He rejoices to impart; He cannot deny what He has promised. He will consult your welfare, and perhaps make you wait; but He will not falsify His word, and leave you to want.

Look at Jesus then, as full of grace, full of truth. You never read of His being full of wrath, full of vengeance, full of indignation; but you do read that He is . . .
full of grace,
rich in mercy,
plenteous in compassion,
and waiting to be gracious!

He wears your nature in Heaven. He is still as kind, as tender, as loving — as when He . . .
had compassion on the widow of Nain,
wept at the grave of Lazarus, or
prayed for His cruel murderers.

He is Jesus still — the same yesterday, today, and forever. He changes not, and therefore we are not consumed. He still says, "Look unto me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else." As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so is the Son of man lifted up; that whoever believes on Him should not perish — but have everlasting life. All things are delivered unto Him by His Father — and He will use all to . . .
protect your person,
supply your needs, and
carry you safely to the realms of peace.
 

Lord we adore your boundless grace,
The heights and depths unknown,
Of pardon, life, and joy, and peace,
In your beloved Son!

Oh wondrous gift of love divine,
Oh source of every good!
Jesus, in You what glories shine,
How rich your flowing blood!

Come, all you pining, hungry poor,
The Savior's bounty taste;
Behold a never-failing store
For every willing guest.

Here shall our every need receive
A free and full supply;
He has unmeasured bliss to give,
And joys that never die!