"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory" (John 1:14).
Over two thousand years ago, the Messiah was born in an insignificant Judean town; an impure manger became His cradle.
Many think God is far-off and untouchable. After all, can you physically see Him? Can you hear Him audibly speak to you? Can you sit down and have a meal with Him? Can you touch God? Does He have arms to embrace you physically? After all, the Bible says God is Spirit and is invisible (John 4:24; 1 Tim. 1:17). By this, many wrongfully conclude that He is remote and disinterested.
Indeed, due to Adam's sin, a great chasm developed between humanity and God. So, here we are on this tiny planet, just a speck in the cosmos, a leper colony of sinful humanity and activity. At the same time, the holy Creator dwells in the sanctity of Heaven.
But the good news is that "He became flesh and dwelt among us." The Greek word for "dwelt" in John 1:14 means to pitch a tent, that is, to encamp. God, in Christ, pitched His tent with us. Divinity manifested in human skin! God became tangible and near-at-hand.
The Apostles of Jesus knew this experientially. They heard, saw, looked upon, and handled the "Word of life" (1 John 1:1-3). They were with Jesus daily, face-to-face, eating, camping, ministering, and walking with Him—side by side. They saw Him and heard Him speak. They touched Christ, and He embraced them.
John states they both "saw" and "looked upon" Him in 1 John 1:1. These words in Greek are not the same. The word "see" expresses physical sight. But the word used for "looked upon" conveys a deeper sight, that of perception. They saw and came to comprehend what they saw, that God had come in the flesh!
The apostles had close and intimate fellowship with God. That's astonishing! But what of those who came after them? How could they have similar fellowship with God? How could they experience Him in the flesh, as did they? After all, Jesus now dwells in Heaven as our High Priest, interceding on our behalf.
Well, the apostle Paul tells us that the church is the body of Christ. Jesus is the head, His people being His physical body on earth. How can others see, hear, behold, and feel God's touch in human flesh? Through His body—the church! (1 John 1:3) If it functions as God designed, people can have fellowship with Him through it.
But can it happen if Christ doesn't dwell in us? The Lord was born in that unsanitary stable in Bethlehem—a miracle of all miracles. The miracle, as well, is that He wants to be born in us in the unclean stable of our hearts. Through us, Christ is to manifest Himself to the world.
Are you part of His body? Does Christ dwell in you through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16)? Can others find fellowship with God through you and your church? They should! Pray that it is so!
