The Word became flesh and dwelt among us….

John 1:14

A gift from my daughter, a piece of barnwood with the word “dwell” on it, hangs proudly on the cabin wall. It’s a lovely word to ponder. “Dwell” has multiple meanings in the English language. The Greek verb, eskēnōsen, used in John 1:14 means “to make His dwelling among; tabernacle; dwell in a tent.” I love how the usage creates a vivid description for Jesus coming to live among us. 

Compared to the mobile lifestyle of today’s world, the “dwelling Jesus” appeared to have lived in only a few places himself: a stable, a rented room in Bethlehem and a brief time in Egypt. Then Jesus spent the majority of his life in a modest home in Nazareth. However, during the last three years of life in ministry, Jesus pointed out that foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matt. 8:20).

John also recorded a future date when God will once again dwell among us. 

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away (Rev 21:2-4).

Father, I want to be intentional about finding time to dwell in sweet fellowship with You who now dwells among His people through Your Holy Spirit. I’m thankful that in doing so, I’m also preparing for the day You will return to dwell among Your people in the holy city, the new Jerusalem. What a day that will be! 

Linda Les