Taking Up Residence

“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)

The first sentence of this verse stuns me every time: “The Word became flesh.” God—eternal, holy, beyond comprehension—chose to take on skin and bone, not as a distant deity, but as one who walked our streets, shared our meals, and entered our pain. This is not a myth or a metaphor. It is the radical grace of incarnation: God, our Creator, moved into the neighborhood, becoming our Redeemer.

Why would God do this? To heal a wound, we inflicted. Sin fractured the relationship between Creator and creation. No prophet, priest, or ritual could bridge that chasm. Only God could. And so, the Son, Jesus, came—not just to teach or inspire, but to atone. His flesh bore our brokenness. His dwelling among us was not temporary—it was the beginning of restoration.

The term “The Word” (Greek Logos) carries rich meaning. In Jewish tradition, it evokes God’s creative speech—“Let there be light.” In Greek thought, it signifies divine reason. John uses it to declare: Jesus is God’s ultimate self-expression. Not just spoken but embodied. Through him, God communicates love, truth, and grace in human form.

This verse is not just theology—it’s an invitation. If Jesus dwelt among us, then God is not far off. He is present in our grief, our joy, our ordinary days. We are not alone. And we are not without hope. The glory we glimpse in Jesus—grace and truth—is the promise of what we are becoming. He came to dwell, and he remains to transform. And he has promised: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6). His residence is not seasonal—it’s steadfast.

Word made flesh,

You chose to dwell among us—not in palaces, but in our mess.

Thank you for entering our story, for bearing our wounds,

For revealing grace and truth in every step you took.

Help us to see your glory in the everyday,

To welcome your presence,

And to live as those who know you walk beside us.

Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim