“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

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Jesus coming to earth isn’t just a theological concept—it’s a transformative reality that shapes our daily lives. What sets Christianity apart is the truth that, in Jesus putting on flesh and becoming like us, He offers more than a solution for sin; He becomes a Savior who fully empathizes with our human experience. In this week’s message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter invites us to see Jesus not as a distant deity but as our perfect mediator, who understands our struggles and continually intercedes for us.

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What is the context?

• Under the Old Covenant, priests stood and ministered daily at the altar, offering repeated sacrifices that only temporarily covered sins.
• Jesus changed this system forever, becoming the perfect sacrifice and ultimate mediator, fully addressing sin for all time.

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Jesus came in the flesh so that He would…

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Fully Pay The Price

• From the beginning, the penalty for sin has been death, an impossible price for humanity to pay alone.
• God instituted a temporary system to cover sins, but Jesus came in the flesh to pay the ultimate price once and for all.
• Jesus’ humanity wasn’t for niceties or storytelling; it ensured that we can boldly approach the throne of grace, knowing our debt has been paid in full.

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Model How To Live

• Jesus didn’t just teach us how to live; He demonstrated it through His own life.
• The Gospels provide the clearest picture of what a life in Christ looks like:some text
  • Delighting in the Father’s presence: We were made for His heart.
  • Living free from sin: Jesus lived the most fulfilling human life without sin.
  • Serving others through the Spirit: We’re called to serve those around us, including those who cannot repay us.

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Be Our Great High Priest

• Before Jesus, one of the primary roles of a priest was to serve as a mediator between God and the people, acting as a bridge between both parties.
• Jesus is the perfect mediator because He is both fully God and fully man. His divinity gives Him complete knowledge of everything, while His humanity allows Him to empathize fully with everything.
• Now seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus continually intercedes for us all. In difficult times, there is sure hope that He is praying on your behalf. 

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Conquer Death For Us

• While we rejoice at the infant Jesus in the manger, we must understand that he came in infancy so that in adulthood, He could die.
• Death entered the world through sin, and without Jesus becoming human, He could not have died or risen again to defeat it. 
• Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered death and removed its sting, offering us eternal life in Him. Now, eternity with God is our promise, a return to the place He always meant for us to be—with Him forever.

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Reveal The Father

• Every time we look at Jesus, we see a clear image of who God is. Jesus came in the flesh to reveal God’s true nature in a way we can understand.
• While we may avoid the Old Testament because of its perceived harshness, the God we see there is the same unchanging God we see in the Gospels. His love, grace, compassion, and patience remain constant.
• At the cross, both God’s love and His judgment meet in their fullness. By seeing the fullness of God in Jesus, we can truly grasp how good He is.

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Additional Resources:

• Leviticus 16
• Hebrews 10:1-14
• 1 Timothy 2:5
• Colossians 1:15

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For Reflection:

• How does understanding Jesus as our mediator and intercessor affect your approach to prayer and seeking God's help?