Immanuel
Episode description
In part II of this Advent series, Jonny Ardavanis considers the wonder of the incarnation by examining the Creator’s design and desire to dwell with His people. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were not only banished from the garden of Eden, but from God’s presence. Therefore, the purpose of their humanity was lost. How then can Eden be restored? How can we dwell in the presence of God once again? Initially, in the Old Testament, the way God brokers access to His presence is through the tabernacle, mediated by the priest. God’s glory that once filled the Garden would once again, descend into the tabernacle, but who can enter? Only the priest. There remained this longing for fellowship, for full access to God’s presence. An understanding of the structure of the tabernacle gives new meaning to the words of John’s opening words in his gospel: “The Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) amongst us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten, full of grace and truth.”