The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14, NIV

 

In a letter written in 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, wrote, “In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.”

 

At the beginning of this God-story, God and man communed freely in the Garden of Eden. Then that antagonistic villain, Satan, deceived Eve. Sin separated humans from God, and eventually they were banished from Eden.

 

Exodus 3:14 details a burning bush from which God made himself known as “I AM”. It compellingly demonstrates fire as a visible manifestation of his holy presence.

 

In the Old Testament, God also appeared as a pillar of cloud and fire in the wilderness after the Israelites fled Egypt. It is a recurring motif, for example, at Mount Sinai, when there was smoke and the people trembled. Simultaneously, Moses was given instructions for the Tabernacle, a place for God himself to dwell.

 

The earthly altar of the tabernacle had a continuous fire burning. Once a year, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place, burning incense as he approached the mercy seat, the place associated with God’s presence.

 

Daniel, the prophet, described the river of fire in God’s throne room, Isaiah revealed fiery seraphim and, later, Jesus is depicted with fiery eyes.

 

Among many other designations, Jesus is the Great High Priest who ministered in the heavenly temple. Having come to fulfil the Law and the teachings of the prophets, Jesus dwelled with fallen humans. Good news, indeed!

 

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

 

Revelation 21:2-3 reveals the New Jerusalem, the new city of God, prepared as a bride – His ultimate dwelling place. Revelation 21:22 shows that God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

 

Over the next few weeks, we trace that story of Jesus – from His nuclear and extended family, the prophets sent, the message to the rest of the nations, and what that means for us as the church today. To God be the glory, great things he hath done.

 

Prayer: Lord God, we pray that the truth of your Word will become clear to us as we study it. May the Word of God truly be a lamp for our feet. Amen.