“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

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In His incarnation, Jesus not only identified with our humanity but also revealed the true essence of what it means to be human. As we begin Advent in our  Like Us series, Pastor Ryan Schlachter highlights the deep significance of our Savior’s arrival on  earth — inviting us to ask, What does it truly mean for us to be fully human, just as He intended?

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What is the context?

• The word “advent” comes from the Latin term adventus, meaning "arrival." It marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas, preparing to celebrate Jesus' prophesied coming.
• In Genesis 1:27, God created humanity in His image and likeness.
• Jesus is called the "second Adam." While the first Adam's disobedience brought sin, the second Adam’s obedience brings forgiveness and restoration.

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Jesus came to restore our humanity through three ways…

In our communion with Him

• Adam and Eve were placed in a garden of beauty and abundance, a place meant to be enjoyed and, above all, a place where God would receive glory through their enjoyment of Him.
• Jesus restored our relationship with the Father, making true communion possible once again. Our testimony of God’s goodness should come from our experience of Him, which stems from intimate relationship with Him
• The ultimate calling of our lives is to enjoy a rich, fulfilling relationship with God, and we bring Him the most glory when we find joy in His presence and delight in Him.

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‍In our relationship with one another

• Jesus didn’t just come to restore our communion with God, but also to restore our relationships with one another. We are meant to live in harmony, reflecting the unity He desires for His people.
• He demonstrated qualities like forgiveness, gentleness, and patience, so that we too would live out these virtues.
• We have a responsibility to embody our reconciliation by putting on love in all our interactions and putting to death the attitudes and actions that create division and conflict.

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In our purpose

• Our true, God-given purpose is to be holy. Through our redemption in Christ, God works in us to sanctify and transform us.
• A life marked by Jesus means yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to shape us into the image of Christ, which is God’s desire for our lives.
• Jesus, tempted in every way yet remaining sinless and holy, came to show us that there is always a way out of temptation, and that we can overcome it through His strength.

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Additional Resources:

• Genesis 1:26-27
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
• Colosians 3:5, 3:12-14
• 1 Thessalonians 4