Gospel Flesh

In Isaiah 40, the voice is told to cry out that "all flesh is grass" and fades like flowers of the field. Only the word of God stands forever (40:6-8).

The word for "flesh" is the word BASAR.

The following verse famously addresses the mountains of Jerusalem and and the cities of Judah calling upon them to spread the good news: "O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up to the mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength..." (40:9) And we should note that "bring good news" could just as easily be translated "preach the gospel."

What's striking is that the verb for "bring good tidings" has the exact same consonants as the word "flesh." It's BASAR. The word for "preach the gospel" has a near relative (that's spelled the same) that means "flesh."

In other words, the Hebrew already seems to have the incarnation rumbling around in its bones when it describes "bringing good news." Jesus is the good news of God, the gospel of God, in the flesh.

Jesus is the flesh that is grass that does not fade. He is the Word of God that stands forever.