How does John 16:28 connect with John 1:14 regarding Jesus' incarnation? The Two Key Verses • John 16:28: “I came from the Father and entered the world. In turn, I will leave the world and go to the Father.” • John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Tracing the Movement: From Father to Flesh • Pre-existence with the Father – “I came from the Father” (John 16:28) echoes “the Word” who was “with God” (John 1:1). • Entrance into the world – “entered the world” (John 16:28) parallels “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). • Purposeful mission – His coming is not random but redemptive; He comes “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). • Eventual return – “leave the world and go to the Father” (John 16:28) anticipates His post-resurrection ascension (cf. Acts 1:9-11). Shared Themes • Divine Origin: Both verses stress Jesus’ heavenly starting point. • Incarnation: The movement from glory to humanity is central in both texts. • Temporariness of Earthly Stay: His presence in flesh has an appointed beginning and end. • Revelation of Glory: Dwelling among us lets us “see His glory,” a glory He soon reclaims in full (John 17:5). Why This Matters for Our Understanding of the Incarnation • Shows incarnation as voluntary: Jesus “came” rather than being created at Bethlehem. • Highlights two natures: fully divine (pre-existent) and fully human (became flesh). • Frames the cross and resurrection: the same One who descends will ascend. • Grounds assurance: the Redeemer who walked our soil now reigns in heaven, interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). Other Scriptures that Echo the Same Truth • Philippians 2:6-8 – He “emptied Himself… being made in human likeness.” • Galatians 4:4 – “God sent His Son, born of a woman.” • Hebrews 2:14-17 – He “shared in their humanity” to atone for sin. • 1 Timothy 3:16 – “He appeared in the flesh… taken up in glory.” • John 17:5 – “the glory I had with You before the world existed.” Takeaway Truths to Hold Onto • Jesus’ incarnation is a real, historical descent from heavenly glory into genuine human flesh. • His earthly ministry sits between two eternities: everlasting fellowship with the Father before Bethlehem and after the ascension. • Because He came and dwelt among us, we can behold divine glory and receive grace and truth. |
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