I have heard many Christians lament the fact that they do not live in Biblical times. “If only we could see Christ, it would easier to believe,” they say. This belief that Christ was somehow only with His followers during His earthly life is, of course, a lie. The Gospel of Matthew makes this clear:
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
But how exactly is Christ with us? It often feels as if He is not with us, and, even worse yet, feels that He has abandoned us. “Why have you forsaken me?” we cry out, awaiting answers and often receiving nothing in return. Where is Christ? The Psalmist says:
O Lord, I have cried to You; hear me;
Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. (Psalm 140:1)
The reality of Jesus’ presence is often hidden from our hearts and minds. We do not have the eyes to see, nor the ears to hear. God is closer to us than our next breath; He is present in all places and fills all things. He sends the Holy Spirit to grant us wisdom and understanding. He gives us His flesh for food and His blood for drink. He appears before us in the holy icons so that we may see Him face to face. We see Him in the sunset that takes our breath away and beauty of all creation. We see Him in the face of our neighbors and even our enemies, for all are made in the image of God. He is the beginning and the end, the One who offers and is offered, the One who gave Himself up for the life and the salvation of the world.
The reality of Christ’s eternal presence has prompted some theologians to write about Christ’s resurrection and second coming as eternal events. That is, not only do these events exists at certain points in time, but they also exist outside of time, being woven into the fabric of creation itself. What matters for us is not just that Jesus came and is yet to come, but that He comes to us again and again. He hears our prayers. He listens to our pain and sorrow. He loves us more than we know how to love.
The only issue to be settled is whether we open up our hearts to receive His love or chose to remain in darkness. May the light of Christ illumine us and may He grant us time for repentance.
Pray for me.
