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 1:14
As we reflect on the Christmas it is a great time to think about all we have in Christ. This past Sunday we reflected on John 1:14 and the fact that God sent His Son to dwell or tabernacle among us. Jesus came to live among us.
God has always given a testimony to His presence; He has tabernacled with His people. When God delivered the people of Israel from Egypt, He gave them a tent of witness (Acts 7:44). He showed His presence through the pillar of fire and pillar of cloud, but His abiding presence was shown through the tabernacle. The people of Israel kept this tent of witness until David sought to build a temple. God used Solomon to build a temple where God manifested His presence.
He showed His presence through the tent of meeting and the temple. This was a building in the midst of the people. However, when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son to live among us on the earth (Galatians 4:4). Instead of just having a temple or tent, God’s very own Son came to earth to live with us. His presence was visible and tangible. He came to save the world, He came to show God’s love and teach God’s truth.
Once Jesus accomplished His mission, He returned to the Father in glory. However, when He returned, He did not leave us as orphans (John 14:18), He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell His children.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. — John 14:16-18
When Jesus gave the Great Commission to the disciples, He told them He would always be with them even unto the end of the earth.
God’s presence now indwells each believer. We have His presence with us. We do not have one central temple that we must go to in order to see God’s presence. His presence is within His children (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This is all the more reason to gather together with fellow believers each week since His presence is magnified when we are together.
We have an amazing privilege and gift with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God has magnified and personalized His presence. Instead of going to a temple, His children are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. There is no greater gift than salvation and no greater gift for God’s children than to have His presence with us. As we reflect on the awesomeness of His gift, we can also look forward to the day we will we see His presence in heaven!
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:3-4
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