The term “Word” comes from the Greek “Logos,” signifying God’s communication to humanity. Ordinary humans cannot access divine communication due to the imperfections of human language compared to the divine. Seeing and communicating with God in a physical form is deemed impossible. However, through spiritual transformation, an individual may communicate with the divine, having become unified with God. The Christian faith is deeply rooted in the concept of the Word made flesh, which symbolizes God’s revelation. It beckons believers to delve into the profundity of God’s love, the purpose of life, and the promise of an everlasting bond with the Divine.
The notion of the Word becoming flesh signifies God taking human form (John 1:14). As descendants of Adam, marred by the fall in the Garden of Eden, humans are unable to completely transmit God’s messages. Although Moses served as a channel for God’s word, he was incapable of conveying the divine intent flawlessly. The Law delivered to the Israelites through Moses was designed for humans, yet it surpassed their complete understanding. They were anticipated to comply passively, without dissent. However, it was through Jesus, the Word incarnate, that humans were able to fully comprehend divine communication, tangibly.
Following Adam’s sin, direct communication between humans and God was deemed impossible. Scripture narrates that Adam consumed the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which led to the corruption of his innate purity. God had forewarned that eating from the forbidden tree would result in death, symbolizing a severance from the divine. Consequently, Adam’s existence was diminished to mere survival instincts, necessitating laborious cultivation of the land for sustenance. His comprehension was henceforth confined to the tangible realm.
From that time, humanity has been characterized by both virtue and vice. Although God did not stop the man from consuming the fruit of the forbidden tree, He did caution him about the repercussions, therein. Therefore, humanity cannot hold God responsible for the sin that permeates this existence. Among Adam’s progeny, those who conformed to God’s will were deemed the Sons of God, while those who gave in to their carnal desires were labelled sons of man. This contrast is illustrated in the lives of Adam’s first two sons: Cain, who represented the son of man, and Abel, who demonstrated the qualities of a Son of God.
There is no need to presume that some are predestined to be Sons of God and others, sons of man. The forbidden tree revealed the potential in every human to identify as the son of man, and likewise, the capacity to become the Son of God is innate. Every person has the freedom to choose either path. The allure of physical life is strong, particularly for those who do not understand its pitfalls. Yet, a profound understanding of the nature of physical temptation can lead to transformation. This is exemplified by God’s attempt to reason with Cain:
“Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:6-7 NKJV).
In those early days, before sin became rampant, God could still communicate with humans according to their own understanding. Abel’s distinct advantage was his untimely demise, which happened while he was still in God’s good graces. Had Abel lived longer, he might have succumbed to sin, much like his brother Cain. The scriptures do not record if Cain ever amended his ways before his death. However, being alive in a physical body provides the chance for transformation. No matter how sinful a person may be, he can still access God’s grace.
The allure of physical existence led to moral decline during the initial dispensation before the flood. Theological chronology indicates this period might span 1650 years, or just shy of 2000 years. Often, the indulgences of physical humans are tied to food and sex. However, such desires are inconsequential to those who are children of God. According to Jesus, the children of God live like angels, not engaging in marriage (Matthew 22:30).
“Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterwards, when the sons of God came into the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:1-4 NKJV).
It is noted that the sin in question originated from intermarriages, where the “Sons of God” were attracted to the “daughters of men.” Such unions led to increased confusion among sinful humanity, despite God’s patience, leading to the reduction of human lifespan. Sin is characterized as a blend of good and evil. Living a life steeped in sin is not as severe as blaspheming God’s name. A sinful person can also be characterized by masquerading as a “Son of God” while being the antithesis. Hence, it is imperative to distinguish between good and evil. Israel’s transgressions were particularly apparent when they assimilated customs from the neighbouring Gentile nations.
This narrative explains why sin is not attributed to other animal species. While some predatory animals may display behaviours that are unpleasant to witness, during their hunts, they act on instinct, not sin. Wild animals may contribute to soil erosion if not managed properly, but their actions are not deemed sinful. The true challenge for our planet stems from human actions or neglect. Intriguingly, humans often acknowledge flaws within humanity, yet many appear reluctant to assume responsibility for addressing these issues. The unfavourable behaviours of humans emerge from blending unrelated dichotomies, which pose no issue when kept distinct.
We inhabit a world teeming with highly educated individuals who may find it challenging to comprehend the importance of this information. Paradoxically, it is often the less educated and marginalized members of society who may have a greater capacity to understand this content. Yet, some of these individuals might dismiss it solely because it lacks endorsement from esteemed academics. There exists a reluctance among the educated elite to recognize or endorse insights that stem from those they deem inferior.
For the enlightened, the origin of this condition is evident, as stemming from pride. Ordinary humans do not possess a divine understanding, which is bestowed only by God (John 6:44). In his or her carnal condition a human being is hostile to God. This raises the question of how God can establish a connection with them. Spiritual knowledge is held to be superior to all secular knowledge. Yet, for those in the physical realm, possessing such knowledge can often result in a sense of superiority over those who do not have it. This creates a conundrum. In essence, this leads to the purpose behind Jesus’ coming.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5 NKJV).
The term “Word” (Logos) signifies God’s means of communication. When this pattern is unclear, it becomes difficult for humans to comprehend God. However, through faith in Jesus, one can approach every word He spoke with profound respect. As a result, no word from Jesus would be overlooked; each word would be considered with sincere attention. For those who seek to learn, His disciples also serve as His representatives, although those disciples also often experience rejection, just as He did. Nevertheless, for the humble ones, understanding remains achievable.
The name Emanuel, meaning “God with us,” signifies the divine presence embodied in Jesus. In Him, we received the profound gift of God’s presence in human form. Every word Jesus spoke was thus imbued with intention. For those of us who have not directly interacted with Him, this presents a challenge. Nevertheless, Jesus continues to be as present as ever through those He calls His brothers. Unsurprisingly, these individuals are often overlooked, just as many people overlooked Jesus during His time on earth. Nevertheless, His messages resonate with those who belong to His flock (John 10:27).
The concept of “God with us” was imparted to the disciples, who began as eleven but expanded to thousands following the Pentecost. Paul, once a persecutor of these followers, underwent a transformative experience on his journey to Damascus, where he intended to continue his attacks. It was during this encounter that he heard a voice revealing that his actions against God’s followers were actually an attack on Jesus Himself (Acts 9:3-5).
The adversaries of Jesus could not confront Him spiritually; they challenged Him physically, adhering to humanity’s tangible aspects. These opponents, like Paul’s pre-conversion, clung to skewed views of God’s appearance. Nowadays, some people fervently profess to defend Jesus, yet their actions suggest the opposite. As the Pharisees were vexed by Jesus’ followers, today’s detractors are similarly perturbed by the disciples’ perceived lack of formal education. They would possibly be more receptive if the disciples held comparable academic credentials.
The teachings of Jesus are dual: one aspect is tailored for his disciples, and the other is intended for the general populace. When a lawyer inquired about the definition of “neighbour,” Jesus illustrated his point with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus encouraged the lawyer, who had grasped the lesson, to “go and do likewise.” Emulating the Good Samaritan’s actions does not equate to being a disciple of Jesus. Yet it may align someone with the righteous as depicted in Matthew 25:32-40.
The differentiation between good people and His brethren can be ambiguous, often causing considerable confusion in Christian teachings. The generally good people are depicted as not having received the Holy Spirit, unlike the brethren, guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ brethren are portrayed as not being fundamentally different from Jesus. Nonetheless, Matthew 25:32-40 suggests that there are virtuous people who lead ethical lives without the Holy Spirit and may unexpectedly be welcomed into God’s Kingdom on Judgment Day.
The most important aspect of Christianity to remember is that the disciples of Jesus often remain unrecognized in this world. Just as Jesus was not acknowledged and was ultimately crucified, His disciples may also face similar treatment or be regarded as insignificant. The world may believe it is justified in persecuting them, much like how it treated Jesus. The expression of this was captured by John just before the crucifixion.
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:18-21 NKJV).
The ones who were not left as orphans were His disciples. He indicated that after His departure, the world would no longer see Him, but they would see Him because He would be present within each of them. At that time, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. However, they eventually received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as Jesus had promised. After that event, they became bold and unafraid. Their primary focus had been to love Jesus and to express that love by keeping His commandments and applying His teachings. In turn, Jesus would manifest Himself to them. This refers only to His brothers, not to those of this world.
Jesus’ influence persists through the deeds of His lesser-known disciples, who may go unrecognized by the world. He touches the lives of those immersed in theological studies and those devoted to traditional Christian practices. As stated: “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this, I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18 NKJV). The renown of Jesus is upheld by both pretence and truth, echoing the amplification by the cross. Although His influence started modestly, His name has echoed with enduring strength. As we near the end times, His name must be heralded with honesty. The pivotal moment will come with His return.
After Jesus, God communicates through various channels. It takes an honest person to recognize what is true by distinguishing it from what is false. This concept is illustrated in the parable of the Sower, where seeds are scattered across the world and fall on different kinds of people (Matthew 13:10-14). How the seed is received depends entirely on the individual recipients. The prayer is for those who are willing to listen and make their decisions based on how the message reaches them, representing the good soil. The undeniable truth is that Jesus solely represents the Word that became flesh to accomplish this work, even while using other human instruments according to His will.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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