The evocative and beautiful opening chapter of John’s gospel tells us:

“The word became flesh and dwelt among us”

That word “dwell,” literally means “to pitch a tent.” 

In the greek version of the old testament, that word was the same word used to describe the tent of the tabernacle, the place God told Moses to build, the place God came and lived in and met the people of Israel while they were wandering through the wilderness. 

And though it was a gracious act of God to come down to meet his people in the tabernacle, the lines of separation were still very clear. God is INSIDE. And the people are OUTSIDE. 

But now God has come to dwell with us in a particular person. 

And he invites us into relationship with himself! 

That means that the clear boundaries between God and humanity have been erased. 

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