December 9, 2019
Who Is He?
John 1:1–14
Jake Horvath
Central Truth
The Lord dwelt among us, and He wants to dwell in you.
Key Verse | John 1:14
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.
John 1:1–14
The Word Became Flesh
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, 1 1:4 Or was not any thing made. That which has been made was life in him and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, 2 1:11 Greek to his own things; that is, to his own domain, or to his own people and his own people 3 1:11 People is implied in Greek did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son 4 1:14 Or only One, or unique One from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Dive Deeper | John 1:1–14
As John begins his Gospel, he introduces us to Jesus as The Word, as God, as dwelling with God (John 1:1-2). Jesus went from dwelling with God [in eternal perfection] to dwelling with humanity in a world filled with sin and decay.
But why? Romans 5:8 explains: "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Humanity is full of sin (Romans 3:23), and our sin earns us death (Romans 6:23). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), but the good news is that Jesus Christ paid the price to restore us to a relationship with God (1 Peter 3:18).
In my intro, I mentioned the importance of a tent. Did you know that "dwelt among us" literally means "pitched his tent"? This is translated from the Greek—skēnoō—and alludes to God dwelling among the Israelites in the tabernacle. In the Old Testament, God resided among His people in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Now God resides among His people in the embodiment of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, and in the Holy Spirit.
So, the Old Testament symbolism of God dwelling among the Israelites in the tabernacle and temple is fulfilled in the coming of Christ into the world to dwell among humanity.
Jesus wants to dwell in you now just as He dwelt among His followers, and just as God dwelt among the Israelites in ancient times, but He needs to be invited into your life by faith (John 6:47-51). As additional encouragement, when we place our faith in Christ and invite Him into our lives, we will not be put to shame (1 Peter 2:4-6). If Jesus dwells in your heart, will you tell others who have not encountered Christ that He wants to be their Lord and Savior, too?
Discussion Questions
1. How have the grace and truth of Jesus' teachings impacted your life this week?
2. What has influenced your thoughts lately, biblical truths or distractions of the world?
3. If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ, will you do that today?