Read: John 1:14-18
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (v. 14)
Earlier this month we used the analogy of the Bible as a keyboard. When one note is played, it forms chords with other parts of Scripture. The word usually translated as “dwelt” in John 1:14 creates not just a chord, but a whole symphony. With one Greek verb John masterfully ties together the whole Bible. “Dwelt” is a weak translation. The word means “to pitch a tent,” and no sooner does the savvy biblical reader see that than instantly we are reminded of that tent in the wilderness known as the tabernacle. “The Word tabernacled among us.”
In Genesis we saw the tragedy of humanity’s fall into sin. Adam and Eve’s relationship with God got ruptured. But God promised a reunion. The first step toward reunion happened at the end of Exodus when the glory cloud of God settled on the tabernacle. God once again dwelled with his people. God’s glory would later live in the temple, though God later had to abandon that due to Israel’s sin. But in Ezekiel, God promises that his glory would return one day to a new temple.
That new temple is Jesus. “And we have seen his glory,” John writes. Jesus is the intersection point between God and all of God’s people. One day, the book of Revelation tells us, the presence of God will descend and make the whole earth God’s dwelling place. Once the Word tabernacled among us, that final reunion became an absolutely sure thing! —Scott Hoezee
As you pray, thank God for the miracle of the incarnation!
About the Author
Scott Hoezee is an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church of North America. He served two Michigan congregations from 1990-2005 and since 2005 has been a faculty member at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he serves chiefly as the Director of The Center for Excellence in Preaching. He is the author of several books, including most recently Why We Listen to Sermons (Calvin Press 2019) and is the co-host of the “Groundwork” radio program.
