John 1:14 (KJV)

What does this mean?

John begins his Gospel by calling Jesus 'the Word', God's own self-expression, who was with God from the beginning. Here he says that the Word became a real human being and lived among us, and that the people who saw him saw God's glory in him, the glory of the Father's one and only Son, who was completely full of God's kindness and truth. The word John uses for 'lived' means he pitched his tent among us, the same picture as God's dwelling with his people long ago.

What does this teach us?

God did not stay far away. In Jesus, God moved in next door, close enough to be seen, touched, and known, and everything John writes after this flows from that nearness.

How can we apply this?

If God feels far away today, remember that nearness is his idea, not yours to earn. Talk to him like someone in the room, not someone on a distant throne, tell him plainly what is on your heart, and listen for his answer in his Word.

Related KJV passages

• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

  John 1:1

• “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

  Philippians 2:7

• “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

  Colossians 1:19