A newsletter of weekly mediations on biblical theology and curated resources from The Carson CenterJanuary 7, 2026
 “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 Read Exodus 22; John 1; Job 40; and 2 Corinthians 10 Walking into a dark room is often a terrifying experience, even painful if you stub your toe! Our first response is always to find the light switch to illuminate the room, so we can see what was hidden in darkness. The Gospel of John opens with Jesus identified as the “Word” who was eternally with the Father and who created all things (1:1–4). Jesus is also the “light” of salvation that shines brightly in a dark world (1:5–13). John then refers to Christ as the one who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14). The movement from light to the temple is natural, as the Old Testament often depicts God’s glorious presence dwelling among the people as fire or radiant light. The verb “dwelt” is a verb form of the noun “tabernacle.” Since we don’t have the verb “to tabernacle” in English, translators often struggle to capture the precise meaning John conveys. The idea is simply that Jesus “tabernacled” or “dwelled in a tent” among his people. The wording recalls Israel’s mobile sanctuary, where God communed with Israel during their forty-year wandering in the wilderness. This Old Testament event is a prophetic pattern or “type” of Jesus dwelling with his followers as they wander in the spiritual wilderness. The glory that filled Israel’s tabernacle and later temple (Exod. 40:34–35; 1 Kings 8:10–11) is the same glory that descends in the person of Christ. But what the Israelites enjoyed in part, the disciples enjoy in full. As incredible as it was for the Israelites to behold God’s glory atop Mount Sinai or for the high priest to gaze upon it in the backroom of Solomon’s temple, that brightness pales in comparison to what the disciples experienced when they encountered the glory revealed in the person of Christ. His same glory, though, now fills the church. The Spirit has joined us to Christ, so we too experience his glory. We are, after all, lampstands that bring light to this dark world (Rev. 1:20). When truth and righteousness characterize your life, they confront the darkness of sin and disobedience. – Ben Gladd Reflect: How has God called you to shine the light of Christ at work? How do you shine it with your family? How can you shine brightly in all facets of life? | 
