In John 1:14, the Greek word translated “lived” can also be rendered “tented” or “tabernacled.” John is deliberately drawing our attention back to Israel’s story, when God dwelt among His people in the tabernacle before the temple existed. As Israel travelled through the wilderness, the tabernacle went ahead of them, a visible sign that God’s presence led the way. When they camped, the tabernacle stood at the centre of the camp, reminding them that God Himself was the centre of their life. The God of Israel was never distant or remote; He was the living God who chose to dwell among His own.

John now declares that this same God has become flesh to dwell among us. He no longer lives in a tent or a building. In Jesus—the Word made flesh—God Himself has come to live with humanity. Jesus is the true dwelling place of God, the meeting point between God and humankind.  God wanted to be with us.

John has already told us that the Word was with God. Father and Son existed eternally turned toward one another in perfect love. The Triune God is, in His very being, a communion of “withness.” The Father delights to be with the Son in the Spirit, and the Son delights to be with the Father in the Spirit. Their life is one of eternal, joyful communion.

And at a moment in history, the One who was eternally with God became one of us to be with us. He came so that we might share in the communion that is God’s own life. God’s desire to be with His people is not a temporary theme but the heartbeat of who he is. In Jesus, God is with us, and through union with Jesus, we are with God in living, loving fellowship.