Jesus saves us from the lie that God’s presence is in our lives because of something we did or didn’t do.
He is Immanuel. God with us. God with the entire human race. His presence is a gift from the Father to the world. (Ya know, for God so loved the world he sent his only Son…)
Jesus is the presence of God sent to the earth for all humanity.
And actually, the earth was always filled with the presence of God:
“And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!””
Isaiah 6:3
Jesus came to reveal this truth. He also came to deal with what blocks the world from experiencing it. Our guilt and shame is a blockage in our own hearts; even though God has not gone anywhere. Jesus died to take away our guilt, forgive us of sin, and awaken us to the loving presence that never actually left us in the first place. True “repentance” is about embracing this.
Now sure, we can still reject God; however, we can’t use the excuse that it’s because he’s not there. And in fact, it’s our very rejection of God that Jesus took to the cross, freeing us to accept his love for us once more.
In other words, we’re accepting that God accept us! ❤️ This is what leads to repentance (see Romans 2:4 & 5:8).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:1-5
This is the starting point for the gospel that the apostles preached and church fathers built upon. To put it simply: God is everywhere, in all of creation, in all of his love and grace. He has now given his Son to the world to both prove and restore this truth.
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:16-17
“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
Hebrews 1:2-3
And here are two astounding quotes from one of the most significant fathers of the church throughout history:
“The Self-revealing of the Word is in every dimension – above, in creation; below, in the Incarnation; in the depth, in Hades; in the breadth, throughout the world. All things have been filled with the knowledge of God.”
– Athanasius – On the Incarnation
“Even on the cross He did not hide Himself from sight; rather, He made all creation witness to the presence of its Maker.”
– Athanasius – On the Incarnation
So when we ask God to “come,” what we’re really doing is asking him to manifest his power, love, and truth in a specific and tangible way. We’re also stirring up faith for people to believe that God is real and present.
But this prayer should flow from the assurance that he’s already fully present and happy to be with us; happy to heal and speak and deliver 😊 and release the redeeming power that was already poured out at the cross. We are simply aligning with the truth of what he accomplished for the human race.
Now, a moment of healing is simply when someone aligns with the truth of what Jesus already accomplished. For the scriptures say, By his stripes we were healed (Isaiah 53:5).
To say it all differently: Jesus has already restored the whole world in his death and resurrection. Now, he’s calling everyone to believe it! (And real faith will lead to real transformation!)
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Colossians 1:19-20
“That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:19-20
God has already done the work to reconcile the world to himself. Now we – those who believe – get to tell the rest of the world to be reconciled to the One that has reconciled with them! ❤️‼️
Jesus is still coming back, but He’s already done the work of salvation in his death and resurrection. When he comes back he will simply bring into full “appearing” (manifestation) what has already been accomplished.
These are truths that have been lost in the church throughout the years. We often put the work back on ourselves to try to earn what’s already been given in Christ. Or, at the very least, we give lip service to the idea “I’m saved by grace alone,” but then still feel like it’s up to us to maintain God’s presence in our lives.
Jesus is God’s presence in our lives forever. That’s the gift. Him. Always.
This stuff is orthodoxy straight out of scripture and out of the ancient paths of church history. We just need to do a little digging. And I’m grateful many are doing just that. This larger view of Christ and what he’s done leads to a deeper love and gratitude for God. It also leads to healthier lives and to more of his Kingdom appearing on earth now!
If you have any questions about anything I’ve said here, feel free to comment or message me. Or I’d encourage you to look up the following books:
Jesus and the Undoing of Adam by C Baxter Kruger
On the Incarnation by Athanasius
Cosmos Reborn by John Crowder
The Fingerprints of God by Robert Capon
The Snow Globe by Nick Padovani, Mo Thomas, and Dylan DeMarsico
The Claim of Humanity in Christ by Alexandra Radcliff
This is stuff that I’ve learned in my journey with Christ. It’s been so helpful and freeing to me, so I love to pass it along! ❤️😊💯