One of the words that we run across quite often in the Bible is the word, “dwelling.” When we think of a “dwelling”, we think of a home, or a place to stay, sometimes temporary, but sometimes not – or it can even mean to stay for a while and spend time with someone. Another definition indicates that a dwelling is any place that provides a place to live. Home, residence, abode, domicile and dwelling place are all synonyms.
But the original meaning was much more intense… In the Old Testament, the Israelites traveled to the Promised Land for many years and each time they stopped, they erected a tabernacle, a place to worship. It was clear that God dwelt in the Tabernacle and there were even strict rules about entering the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the temple. This sacred area was curtained off from the other areas of the structure and once a year, a priest entered the Holy of Holies to perform duties as outlined by God. A rope, with a bell, was tied around the ankle of the priest who was selected for this annual sacred ritual, and in the event that the bell stopped ringing, it was assumed that the priest had been killed and was pulled out of the Holy of Holies as it was forbidden for anyone else to enter.
So this was a dwelling place of God the Father. There are many references to dwelling places and even in the 23rd Psalm, we recite that “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” It’s a word that we have read hundreds of times but I don’t know that we understand the depth of the meaning.
In the ancient Greek, the word “dwelling” actually means to “pitch a tent.” It is clearly a reference to the tabernacle that was erected whenever the people of God moved from place to place on their way to the Promised Land. And sometimes, though not as common these days, it was common to say that God came to “tabernacle with us.”
When most of us think about God dwelling with us, we usually think of God the Father. But, as He chose to reveal more of the Godhead to us, the Father sent Jesus, as a baby, to dwell with us. Furthermore, when Jesus was about to ascend back to the Father after the resurrection, He let us know that the Father would send another in His place – the Holy Spirit, who would actually dwell in us. The Holy Spirit lives within each believer – dwelling inseparably with us.
So, when we think about Jesus dwelling with us, it really means that He is “pitching a tent” – and you can just imagine Jesus pitching His tent in the front yard of your home. Not just to be close to us, but to live life with us – to truly dwell with us in the strictest sense of the word. Jesus wants to have a sleepover with us – but not just for one night. He wants to move into the neighborhood and pitch His tent with us.
That’s really remarkable when you think about it. God Himself wants to camp out in front of your house. The apostle John, who wrote his Gospel, three epistles and Revelation, was on fire for the Lord. He loved Jesus and proclaimed Him to anyone who would listen. It was John who was charged with the care of Mary after the death of Jesus and he is also the one who became the pastor at Ephesus. John was a member of the inner sanctum of Jesus and lived into the late ‘90’s – living longer than any other apostle.
John tells us, in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John affirms that when Jesus came from the Father His glory was revealed and Jesus dwelt among us!
My encouragement this evening is that it is clear that Jesus wants to spend His time with us – no, more than that, He wants to tabernacle with us. Just like His Father did with the Israelites as they were crossing the desert on their way to the Promised Land. My prayer is that we will take Jesus seriously. It’s difficult to sometimes believe that Jesus loves us as much as He does. Yes, He wants to move in! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…