“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)
The paradox of Christ growing more beautiful through the act of self-emptying inspires in the apostle John a striking response. John declares that when the Word became flesh, he “dwelt among us.” The verb being used here is a form of the word tabernacle.
This expression explicitly calls to mind the Tabernacle of the Old Testament — the portable sanctuary that the children of Israel made according to the precise instructions that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.
The Israelites carried their grand tent with them through the wilderness for 40 years before erecting it in the Promised Land (see Exodus 25-31, 35-40; Joshua 10:43, 18:1). This sacred tent of worship, or Tabernacle, was the earthly dwelling place of the living God, symbolizing his presence with his people.
When Jesus was born, God took up residence (or “tabernacled”) with his people in a new way. Through his incarnation, God the Son began — for the first time and forever — to dwell with us bodily.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the promised gift of Your Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Be with us always, and give us Your love and grace, as we wait for the time we will be with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
