“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. His uniqueness is unparalleled—eternally begotten of the Father in His divine nature and supernaturally conceived in His humanity. As God, He shares the same divine essence as the Father. As man, He was miraculously born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the ancient prophecies of a coming Redeemer. This glorious truth that Christ is the only begotten of the Father sets Him apart as preeminent above all.
In ancient times the firstborn held a place of both honor and leadership, receiving a double portion of the father’s inheritance as well as the position of authority over his brethren. In Christ, the eternal Firstborn, this typology finds its perfection. “He is the firstborn of every creature… the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:15, 18).
Christ is fully God, possessing all the attributes and glory that belong to God alone. He is worshipped by angels, confessed by the apostles, and declared by the Father Himself as His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. The Scriptures testify again and again that Jesus Christ is divine in essence and equal in glory: “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son… who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…” (Heb. 1:2-3). And yet, in wondrous condescension, He became man, born into the house and lineage of David through Mary, His mother according to the flesh.
In His singular Person, divinity and humanity are perfectly united, without confusion or division. He is the one Mediator between God and men, the only access to reconciliation and peace with God. From the first promise in Genesis 3:15 to the types, shadows, and prophecies throughout the Old Testament, the Redeemer has been set before the eyes of faith. He is the Restorer, the Deliverer, the Sacrifice, the Advocate… the fulfillment of every office and figure God ever ordained for the salvation of His people.
Francis Roberts gathered these glories into a single list: Christ is our Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), our Redeemer (Isa. 59:20), our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30), our Ransom (1 Tim. 2:6), our Sacrifice (Heb. 10:12), our Propitiation (1 John 2:2), our Reconciler (2 Cor. 5:18), our Lamb (John 1:29), our Deliverer (Rom. 11:26), our Savior (Luke 2:11), and our Advocate (1 John 2:1). In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.[1] And in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.
This is the glory of the only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth. In Him, grace is not only given, it’s embodied. Truth is not only declared, it is fulfilled. His very person is the manifestation of divine mercy to sinful man. He is both the giver of grace and the storehouse of it, and all who come to Him receive grace upon grace. “Of His fulness have all we received” (John 1:16).
To adore Him rightly is to recognize Him as the gift of the Father, the joy of heaven, the glory of the church, the hope of every sinner who believes. He is the beloved Son, and in Him the Father is well pleased. And those who are in Him, united by faith, are beloved in Him and accepted through His righteousness.
Let every heart that knows the Redeemer bow in reverence. Let every voice proclaim His name. Let every believer cherish this only begotten Son, for He is our peace, our righteousness, our Shepherd, our King. Let our adoration be undivided, for He is worthy of all honor, all glory, all praise. The Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, has made God known. And in seeing Him, we behold the glory of the Father.
Contemplation:
- Christ, the Fullness of Grace. When I consider Your glory, Lord Jesus, as the only begotten of the Father, I see the abundance of grace that fills Your person. You meet me in my weakness, sustain me in my trials, and forgive me in my guilt. Every time I turn to You, I find grace upon grace. I cannot measure it, and I cannot repay it. But I can adore You for it.
- The Eternal Son. Before anything was made, You existed as the Son of God, begotten of the Father, equal in essence, perfect in unity. You are not a created being, but the Creator of all. My finite mind cannot fully grasp this wonder, but my heart bows in worship. That You, the eternal Word, would take on flesh and dwell among us—that is love beyond comprehension. I worship You, Christ, as the eternal Son, worthy of eternal praise.
- One Person, Two Natures. You are God and man, united in one Person. You reign in heaven, and yet You walked the earth. You spoke the worlds into existence, and yet You cried in a manger. You hold the stars in place, and yet You were nailed to a cross. Who is like You, Jesus? I marvel at the mystery, and I adore You for the mercy. There is none so lovely, none so glorious, none so near to my soul.
- The Only Way to the Father. You are not one of many paths. You are the way, the truth, and the life. There is no reconciliation, no salvation, no hope apart from You. I once wandered far, but You brought me near. You laid Your hand on both God and man, and You made peace by the blood of Your cross. I owe You everything. I live because You live. I am forgiven because You died. I have hope because You rose. I adore You with all my heart.
Prayer (Adoration):
O most blessed Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten of the Father, eternal Word made flesh, I bow in reverence before Your majesty. You are the brightness of the Father’s glory, the express image of His person, and the fulfillment of every promise given to man. You are the Son of God and the Son of Man—God from eternity, man born in time. In You alone the fullness of grace and truth dwells, and by You alone we behold the glory of the invisible God.
I praise You for the mystery of Your Person. You are co-equal with the Father in power and dominion, yet You humbled Yourself, taking the form of a servant. You, who knew no sin, became sin for us. You, who were rich in divine glory, became poor in human form, that through Your poverty we might be made rich. You are the beloved of the Father, the Lamb of God, the Captain of our salvation, the Prince of Peace.
You are the only Mediator between God and man. You stand between holiness and sin, wrath and mercy, justice and peace. You alone could reconcile enemies and make them sons. You alone could satisfy divine justice and extend divine grace. I adore You for this work. I bless You for standing in my place, for bearing my guilt, for dying my death. I glorify You for rising again in power, for ascending in triumph, for reigning in majesty, and for interceding with compassion.
In You is grace that pardons, sanctifies, sustains, and glorifies. You give grace freely, abundantly, eternally. I praise You for every measure of mercy, every word of comfort, every beam of truth that has shone upon my soul through Your name. From Your fullness I have received grace upon grace. And still there is more.
Lord, You are the object of my adoration, the joy of my heart, the hope of my soul. Let every affection be set on You, every breath be spent in praise of You because You are my life, my righteousness, my wisdom, and my redemption. In You I am complete. In You I am secure. In You I am loved with an everlasting love.
Draw me ever nearer to Yourself. Let me worship You with greater purity, love You with deeper sincerity, and serve You with fuller devotion. Let my soul magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoice in God my Savior. Let the name of Jesus be ever on my lips and engraved on my heart. For there is no glory like Yours, no grace like Yours, no Savior but You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for John 1:14:
1 Tim. 3:16; 1 John 1:1, 4:2; John 14:6; Gal. 4:4; Ps. 45:2.
[1] Francis Roberts, Mysterium & Medulla Bibliorum the Mystery and Marrow of the Bible, (London: R.W. for George Calvert, 1657), 1190.
