John the Apostle had spent the best part of three years with Jesus and, in many ways, was the closest to Him of all the disciples.  This verse is John's summary of Jesus (inspired by the Holy Spirit).  Jesus was the Word of God, the Creator who was made visible in a human body (Hebrews 1:1-3).  He was God who spoke through a human mouth; and yet by His teaching, signs and wonders showed He was no ordinary man.  Jesus was not just a good man who pointed to God, but God Himself.

Jesus "made His dwelling among us".  The original words meant that He ‘pitched His tent where we live’.  Jesus was observed 24/7.  Any blemish in His character would have been seen; any inconsistency between what He said and did would have been glaringly obvious.  The glory of God was seen in the transfiguration of Jesus, His resurrection and ascension.  Having known Him so well, John had no doubt at all that this man was also God (1 John 1:1).

Although the default character of human beings is to be full of themselves, Jesus was full of the Father (John 14:10-12).  Although He was equal to His Father (John 1:1), He was not independent from Him.  He did not speak solely by His own authority, but only as agreed with God the Father (John 14:24).  For those who had previously thought of God as being a demanding judge, Jesus presented more of His character.  Everything He said was true, everything He did had integrity, and the way He behaved was full of grace.

It should not surprise us that when people understand who Jesus is, they are drawn to Him - as iron to a magnet and as plants to the light.  They are in awe to find that there is total harmony and unity between God the Son and God the Father.  It is still true that we can best understand God by understanding Jesus.  But more than that, we can get to know God personally as we put our trust in Jesus.  He is the answer that the world is looking for.  Therefore, those who love Jesus hold the secret to peace with God (Romans 5:1).  How cruel it would be for us to hold others back from knowing God, forgiveness and eternal life, by keeping quiet about the greatest open secret in the world!  Pray for courage to speak about Jesus to at least one person you meet today.