He Gave Power

To Become

Children Of God

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

John 1:9-14

The tabernacle in the wilderness was a tent where the glory of God dwelt. The structure was made of badger skins and was plain on the outside. But inside it was exquisitely beautiful. We can compare the tabernacle with the human form of Jesus. Jesus looked like an ordinary man. No one gave Him a second look. Occasionally, the tent flap was lifted and John could catch a glimpse of Jesus' inner beauty and majesty.

We are also tabernacles. We are made of skin, made to contain God's Spirit. Most of us are very plain, not like the made-up actors we see in the movies or the air-brushed models we view in the ads. But God is even now - at this moment - in the process of making us radiantly beautiful within. We may be very plain and ordinary on the outside - but as we allow God's Spirit to work within us, the beauty of God's indwellling presence will shine from our faces.

Is the world seeing Jesus in you?

A righteous heart is the fountain of beauty.

Our Daily Bread - February 11, 2006