John 1:1-18

John – God Made His Dwelling Among Us

John 1:1-18
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
After Simon’s excellent introduction last week, this we’re week we’re looking at how John starts his Gospel. And it’s a masterpiece.

John’s Prologue serves as an introduction in the same way a movie trailer prepares us for a film. Here John is introducing us to a whole bunch of material that he’ll unpack for us through his eyewitness account of Jesus’ life that follows.

At the end of these verses we’re left with a tonne of questions, and that’s just the way he wants it. John is inviting us to follow him into the rest of his Gospel. He wants to invite you to explore the claims of Jesus. We’re going to have great fun doing just that in the weeks and months to come.

There is so much compressed into these verses. But I’d like us to consider just half a verse together today. It’s the start of John 1:14. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

This is a tremendous claim. It is worldview forming.

Christians believe that Jesus is God in the flesh. And I love the language John uses here to animate that idea. He says that God made his dwelling among. At least, that’s how we often translate it in English. The phrase John uses literally means, He pitched his tent among us, or He tabernacled among us.

For those familiar with the Old Testament, this word tabernacled will be instantly recognisable. The Tabernacle was a tent that the people of Israel carried with them through the desert. It was made following God’s blueprint. And it was the centre of the Israelites religious life before they settled in the Promised Land. It prefigured the Temple that was later built in Jerusalem. And just like the Temple, the Tabernacle was a place charged with God’s presence. It was a holy place.

This phrase captures something of God’s desire to be with his people. Not worshipped from afar and not held at arm’s length. But right at the centre. At the heart of the community.  

God wants to be with us.

Let this fact penetrate your heart today. God wants to be with you.

As we progress through this series, we’re going to discover so much more about how Jesus makes this possible for everyday people like us. But, for now, why not take a moment to enjoy God’s desire to be with you?

Apply

  1. Do you recognise God’s desire to be with you?

  2. What habits are you cultivating in your life to enjoy God’s presence?

  3. What might you need to do today to consciously bring God in to the heart of what you’re doing?

Prayer

Father,

Thank you that you long to be with us. Thank you that you sent your son Jesus to dwell among us. Thank you that you are not distant but you have made every effort so that we can enjoy your presence. Thank you that your Son Jesus reveals who you are. Help me to place you at the heart of my life.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.
This Everyday Devotions was written by Andy Tuck, who works for our Wimbledon Venue.

Andy unpacks these themes in more detail in his sermon message this week on our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.

This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.

Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
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