John 1:14

(3 min)

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Historical Context 🤓

• The Gospel of John was written in Greek around 90 AD most likely by John, the son of Zebedee (note: this John is different than John the Baptist).
• John was a fisherman turned disciple of Jesus who became one of his closest friends. He was an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry.

Literary Context: John's Introduction 🗣️

John intentionally starts his gospel in John 1:1 with the same words the Bible starts with:

• Israelites who read and heard this would immediately think of Genesis 1:1 (when God, through his Word) spoke creation into existence.
• Gentiles who read and heard this would be familiar with logos, the Greek word John used that is translated as "Word."
  • 'Logos' was a word Greek philosophers of the time used to describe “the divine reason implicit in the cosmos” - aka the source of logic and meaning behind the universe.

To equate Jesus with the God of creation and describe him as the logos were bold claims to both Jewish and Gentile audiences.

"The Word" Dwelling Among Us ⛺

1. In verse 14, John is saying that Jesus is God, embodied.

The word John uses here for “dwell” in the Greek means “to live in a tent,” which is a reference to the tabernacle Moses set up in Exodus (which you just learned about last week if you were with us).

2. John is saying that Jesus is God’s tabernacle - aka the location of, the manifestation of God's presence.

In other words, what used to be limited to the special room inside the Tabernacle and later the Temple, was now with them in human form.

For Reflection 🤔

As you memorize this week, consider this: The creator of the universe wanted so badly to be with you that:

• The infinite became finite: The omnipresent God became confined to a single human body in a single location in a single time period of human history.
• The all powerful became vulnerable: The Creator became a helpless Jewish baby in a nation under Roman oppression.
• The giver of life became sin to the point of death: The source of all life submitted himself to an excruciating, humiliating death on the cross.

Why? Because he wants to be with you.

Why? Because he loves you.

Isaiah 43:4

"..you are precious in my eyes,

and honored, and I love you.."

Think about the person you love most - a spouse, a child, a sibling, a friend - and how your favorite thing to do is simply be with them.

That is the tiniest echo of how badly God wants to be with you.

Praying that your heart be moved by God's desire to be with you,

The Malachi Daily Team 🙏

P.S. Next week, we continue this 4-week series of passages on the theme of God's presence. Invite a friend! 💬 If they sign up by Saturday night, they'll get to finish the series with us.

P.P.S. Here is a sermon by the late Dr. Tim Keller about the significance of The Word becoming flesh.