Reading the Word

John 1:1–5 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
…
14 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.

Understanding the Word

John’s Gospel is focused on teaching us that Jesus is divine. Jesus is the Word and the Word is God. He is the Creator of all things. In verse 14, we are told that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This points us to the incarnation when Jesus was born into the world. The phrase “dwelt among us” is literally “tabernacled”. A tabernacle was a tent, much as the tabernacle in the Old Testament that the people used as they left Egypt and wandered around in the desert. So, we read that the Word tented among us.

It is quite a thing to ponder that God would come into this world to tent with us. This world is not his home, but God came to be among us. It is quite a statement of God’s love and grace for us! Even more amazing is when we read Revelation 21:3, which speaks of the new heaven and new earth. We read that the “dwelling place” (i.e. tabernacle) of God is with man. God will pitch his tent with mankind forever. That is the hope of Christmas. We have been visited by God in the past and one day he will come to be with us forever!

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