In the opening of John’s Gospel, we discover that God’s covenant presence is no longer centered in a place but revealed in a Person. The Word who was with God and is God became flesh and “tabernacled” among us, bringing the glory once hidden in a tent into full view through Jesus Christ. In Him, God doesn’t just dwell near His people. He comes to dwell with them, and ultimately, within them.

From the first Passover in Exodus to the cross of Christ, Scripture reveals God’s plan to rescue His people through the sacrifice of a spotless lamb. John presents Jesus as the true Passover Lamb whose blood secures our salvation, delivering us from sin and judgment through His once-for-all sacrifice.

The Exodus story reveals a holy God who draws near to His people yet requires a mediator for them to approach Him. That mediator is Moses, and in Exodus 19–24, Moses ascends the mountain to meet with God and bring His word to the people. But in John 3, Jesus is revealed as the true Mediator who has descended from heaven to give sinners access to God and entrance into His kingdom and family through His life, death, and resurrection.

In the wilderness, God graciously gave His thirsty people water from the rock when they could not provide for themselves. Jesus fulfills this picture by offering living water—the Holy Spirit—who satisfies our deepest thirst for God and causes His life to overflow through us.

In the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven to sustain His hungry people day by day. Jesus fulfills this picture by declaring Himself the bread of life, the One who does more than meet temporary needs, giving eternal life and lasting satisfaction to everyone who comes to Him in faith.

In the tabernacle, the golden lampstand continually gave light where God dwelled among His people. Jesus fulfills this picture as the light of the world, entering our darkness and leading all who follow Him into the light of truth, holiness, and life.

In the wilderness, God guided Israel by His presence in the pillar of cloud and fire, leading them on the way they should go. Jesus fulfills this picture by declaring that He Himself is the way, bringing His people through uncertainty and safely into the presence of the Father.

At the burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses as the great “I AM,” the eternal and covenant-keeping God who would rescue His people. Jesus fulfills every Exodus picture by taking this name for Himself, revealing that the God who delivered Israel has come in the flesh to save His people from sin and bring them to Himself.