John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
That simple phrase—“He dwelt among us”—holds incredible depth. The Greek word used here is skēnoō, which literally means “He pitched His tent.” It paints a picture of Jesus setting up camp right in the middle of our lives.
In our modern language, we don’t usually say “dwell.” You won’t hear anyone after Sunday worship saying, “I’m heading back to my dwelling.” We’d say, “I’m going home.” That’s why one translation puts it this way: “Jesus moved into the neighborhood.” It may sound casual, but it captures something essential—Jesus didn’t stay distant. He came close. He made His home among us.
The Living Tabernacle
For the Israelites, the idea of “pitching a tent” was familiar. During the Feast of Tabernacles, they would set up temporary shelters to remember God’s faithfulness during their wilderness journey. Those tents were symbols of God’s presence among His people.
When Jesus came, He became the new and living tabernacle. No longer would God’s presence be confined to a temple, a veil, or a building. The veil was torn, and Jesus Himself became our meeting place with God.
That means we are no longer separated from Him. When there’s distance between us and God, it’s not because He has moved away, it’s because we’ve forgotten that He’s already right here.
Remember: God Is in the Room
Too often, we live as if God is far off somewhere, watching from a distance. But if we truly believed that Jesus was sitting right here with us, in this very room, how differently would we act?
Think about it: if someone you respect is in the room, your tone changes. If you’re talking about someone and they walk in, suddenly you hush up. If someone compliments you face to face, it means more than if you hear about it secondhand. Presence changes everything.
In the same way, remembering that Jesus is present with us can reshape our attitude, our thoughts, and even our speech. It’s hard to ignore Him when we imagine Him sitting on the front row. But it’s easy to lose sight of Him when we’re focused only on our own fears and problems.
When we gather for Sunday worship at New Vision Church, or even when we’re alone during the week, we must remember—God is in the room. He’s not just the subject of our songs and sermons; He’s the guest of honor in every moment.
An Ongoing Conversation with God
There’s a scene in the movie Gandhi where a priest says, “That was lucky,” after escaping a dangerous situation. Gandhi replies, “I thought you were a man of God.” The priest answers, “ I am, but I’m not so egotistical to think He plan His day around my dilemmas.”
That line captures how many of us live. We believe in God, but we don’t always act like He’s involved in our daily lives. Yet Scripture and experience tell us that God is active. He’s not distant. He cares deeply about the details of our days.
You don’t have to go to God only for big life decisions. Talk to Him about the small things too. Maybe He doesn’t have a preference about which jacket you wear, but He does care that you’re talking to Him. He delights in relationship, not ritual.
From Brokenness to Presence
It’s often when we’re hurting that we feel closest to God. The Bible says He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). When we’re struggling, we cry out to Him more. But when things get better, sometimes we drift away and forget His nearness.
We look at our scars and focus on the pain instead of the healing. We talk about what we’ve been through instead of where God has brought us to. Those scars are reminders of His faithfulness. They’re proof that He carried us through.
God doesn’t just want to bring us through things; He wants to bring us to something. And sometimes, what He brings us through equips us to help someone else walk their own road of pain and redemption.
Practical Application: Living Like He’s Near
- Acknowledge His Presence Daily. Before you start your day, pause and remember that Jesus is with you—at home, at work, at school, everywhere.
- Talk to Him Naturally. Pray like you’re having a conversation with a close friend. Tell Him the small things.
- Shift Your Focus. Instead of fixating on what you’re going through, celebrate where God will you bring you to.
- Bring His Presence to Others. Be the reflection of Christ in your neighborhood. If Jesus “moved into the neighborhood,” let people feel His love through you.
At New Vision Church in Fayetteville, GA, we believe Jesus has truly “pitched His tent among us.” He’s not distant—He’s here, and He’s active in our lives today.
Join us for Sunday worship and experience His presence with a loving community that walks together in faith.
- Sundays at 10:00 AM – 479 Inman Road, Fayetteville, GA
- Evening Service at 5:30 PM – 193 Johnson Avenue, Fayetteville, GA
Come as you are; Jesus has already moved into the neighborhood.