"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! 

We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3).

We cannot directly experience God through our senses. Why? He is Spirit and we bear a fallen human nature. So, in the natural order of things, we cannot see, touch, or hear Him. It’s true we can experience God through nature, prayer and His word. Yet, we lack a direct sensorial connection to Him. But John says the apostles had such tangible contact. How?

Scripture tells us that all things were created through Christ. He was there in “the beginning,” and “the word was with God and was God”. We also learn that He, the “word of life,” was manifested in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14; 1 John 1:1-2). Therefore, the apostles were able to see and behold God, to hear and touch him, in Christ. They spent much time with Jesus. They travelled, ate, conversed and ministered with Him. They witnessed His power and love, up close, in intimate terms. This the apostles declared, that others might believe and by believing have eternal life.  

However, there was a gnostic element that denied God took human form, saying Jesus had a phantom body, not a real one. John denounces this soundly. He saw, beheld and touched the flesh of Christ. Jesus was beaten and bled, He was crucified and died. A spirit cannot do that. He came in the flesh, but He was much more than human. He was Immanuel, “God with us”. God in the flesh! The apostles declared this, and by it the gospel of salvation.  

But what of those who came after the apostles. How could they see, hear and touch God? We don’t have the same opportunity the apostles had. After His death, Jesus rose and ascended to heaven. So, how can any see and touch Him, as did they? Is not the church Christ’s body on earth? Does God not indwell His people through the Holy Spirit? Certainty! Then this is where such sensorial fellowship with God can be had.  

The church is to be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth. It is to embrace others in His arms of love. It is to speak His words through caring lips. It is to hear the plight of others with His patient and attentive ears. It is to see others through His compassionate and impartial eyes. This is to say, the church is not to only declare Jesus with words, but with godly actions and a loving attitude. His people are to actually manifest Christ to others.  

But how can others have fellowship with God through us, if we fail to gather together in meaningful fellowship? This is why true Christian fellowship is so imperative. Because through it, others can obtain a tangible contact with God. Therefore, don’t forsake communing with like-minded Christians. As you do so, be mindful of who you are manifesting. 

_{Image used by permission of SermonView}