Think Often of the Incarnation of Christ

November 20th, 2023
by Richard Sibbes

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us. -1 John 1:1, 2

To think of God absolutely, without God in the flesh, he is 'a consuming fire' (Heb. 12:29), every way terrible; but to think of God in our nature, we may, with boldness, securely go to him, as a brother. Think of God born of a virgin, of God lying in the cradle, sucking the breast! Think of God going up and down teaching and doing all good! Think of God sweating for you, hanging on the cross, shedding his blood, lying in the grave, raising himself again, and now in heaven as our intercessor 'seated at the right hand of God' (Eph. 1:20). To think of God alone swallows up our thoughts but to think of God in Christ, of God in the flesh is a comfortable consideration. To see the sun alone in itself, in the glory and lustre of it, it is impossible without hurting the eye; but to see the sun in water, or in an eclipse, we may do it. So, we cannot receive of God alone, absolutely; but to conceive of God in our flesh is to look upon the sun as it were in the water. God tells Moses, 'None can ever see God and live' (Exod. 33:20), that is, see God absolutely. Oh, but God, made manifest in our flesh, we may see; and it will be our happiness in heaven to see him there, to see 'God in our flesh face to face' (Exod. 33:11).
We cannot too often meditate on these things. It is the marrow of the gospel. It is the wonder of wonders. We need not wonder at anything after this. It is no wonder that our bodies will rise again; that mortal man should become immortal in heaven, since the immortal God has taken man's nature and died in it. All the articles of our faith and all miracles yield to this grand thing, 'God manifested in the flesh' (1 Tim. 3:16). Believe this and believe all other. Therefore, let us often haver cherishing thoughts of God in our flesh, that it may strengthen and nourish our faith, especially in the time of temptation.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Fountain Opened, Works, vol. 5, pp. 484-85
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.