Connect John 1:14 with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's coming. Word became flesh “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 Echoes of the tabernacle “Dwelling” in John 1:14 literally carries the idea of pitching a tent—tabernacling. Long before Jesus arrived, God had promised to pitch His tent with His people: • Exodus 25:8: “They are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.” • Leviticus 26:11-12: “I will make My dwelling place among you… I will walk among you and be your God.” • Malachi 3:1: “Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple.” Jesus fulfills God’s ancient desire to live right in the midst of His people—not merely symbolically, but bodily. Immanuel foretold – God with us • Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” • Isaiah 8:8, 10 ties Immanuel directly to God’s own presence. John 1:14 shows that promise coming true: God is literally “with us” in the person of His Son. Prophecies of Messiah’s true humanity The Word “became flesh,” not simply appeared to be human. Old Testament passages anticipated a real human Deliverer: • Genesis 3:15 – “her seed” bruising the serpent’s head. • Genesis 12:3 – Abraham’s seed blessing the nations. • Numbers 24:17 – “A star will come out of Jacob.” • Micah 5:2 – born in Bethlehem, yet “whose origins are from of old.” • Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born.” Jesus’ birth, lineage, and physical life keep every one of these promises on track. Prophecies of Messiah’s divine identity John says we saw His “glory” and calls Him the “One and Only Son from the Father.” The Old Testament likewise presents the coming Anointed One as fully divine: • Psalm 45:6: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.” • Psalm 110:1: “The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand…’” • Isaiah 9:6: the Child is “Mighty God.” • Jeremiah 23:5-6: the Branch from David is called “The LORD Our Righteousness.” Jesus embodies these titles in the flesh. Prophecies of revealed glory John had witnessed glory “full of grace and truth.” Scripture foretold that too: • Exodus 33:18-19; 34:6 – Moses asks to see God’s glory; God responds with “abounding in loving devotion and truth.” • Isaiah 40:5: “The glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity will see it together.” • Isaiah 60:1-2: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Jesus’ life, miracles, death, and resurrection unveiled that very glory and grace. From promise to Person Put side-by-side, the links are unmistakable: • God promised to dwell among His people → Jesus “tabernacled” among us. • God promised “Immanuel” → Jesus is God with us. • Prophets said Messiah would be both human and divine → the Word became flesh yet retained the glory of God. • God pledged revealed glory full of grace and truth → the apostles saw and testified to that glory in Christ. Every thread of Old Testament expectation converges in John 1:14, where the eternal Word steps into time, fulfills centuries of prophecy, and invites us to behold His glory for ourselves. |
    |