What the Incarnation Means for Us
The Incarnation Wasn't Happenstance
I’ve spent the majority of my life taking the Incarnation for granted.
It wasn’t the content or result of the Incarnation that I overlooked. I very much cherished that Jesus would pursue us, become a man, hang out with sinners, and save humanity.
It was the form of Incarnation that I ignored - or perhaps didn’t notice. I didn’t consider the implications of Jesus becoming human. I certainly didn’t think it would have anything to do with how I should live my life.
Later on, I came to realize that the form of Incarnation - the actual method of being born and inhabiting human flesh - was a deeply important part of the Incarnation. It was necessary for our salvation, not random happenstance.
Gregory Nazianzus, of the 4th Century, famously remarked, “The unassumed is the unhealed,” which means that Jesus assuming humanity was absolutely necessary in the process of our healing.
Incarnating humanity was just as much a part of Jesus’ mission as saving humanity.
So, what does this mean for us?
I’m suggesting it means that an Incarnational form should influence our actions just as much as the content we want to communicate.
For example, the incarnation might mean:
We serve among people rather than serve from above
Sacred space exists wherever “here” happens to be
Friendship is the primary paradigm for ministry
We seek to listen and learn before speaking or teaching
We create a new world through a ministry of presence, not power
This list is merely scratching the surface. I hope it’s stirring you to come up with your own examples.
What does the Incarnation mean to you?
What could Incarnational living look like in your day-to-day?
What spaces has God called you to be fully present?