The Eternal Presence: From Creation to Redemption
Come Visit us Sunday January 5 at 10 AM
Have you ever wondered about the origins of our faith? About the very foundation upon which our beliefs are built? Today, we embark on a journey through time and eternity, exploring the profound truth that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, has been present from the very beginning.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." These powerful words from the Gospel of John echo the opening of Genesis, intentionally drawing a parallel between Christ and the creation of the universe. This isn't just poetic language; it's a profound theological statement that places Jesus at the very origin of all things.
Think about that for a moment. Before the stars were formed, before the earth began to spin, before the first breath of life was breathed into existence, Christ was there. He wasn't created; He has always existed. This truth refutes any notion that Jesus came into being only at His human birth. Instead, it affirms His eternal nature, co-existent with God the Father.
But what does this mean for us today? How does this ancient truth impact our modern lives?
First, it gives us an unshakeable foundation for our faith. Knowing that Christ was with God "in the beginning" assures us that our beliefs rest on an eternal foundation. Jesus isn't a temporary solution to humanity's problems; He's the eternal Lord who has always been and always will be.
This eternal presence of Christ also speaks to God's sovereignty and plan. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Imagine that - before time began, before you drew your first breath, God had already chosen you in Christ. You weren't an afterthought in God's plan; you were part of it from the very beginning.
The connection between John's Gospel and the book of Genesis goes even deeper. John tells us that through Christ, all things were made. He wasn't just present at creation; He was actively involved in it. Colossians 1:16-17 further elaborates on this, stating that in Him all things hold together. This means that the same Christ who was there at the dawn of time is the one who sustains us through life's challenges and uncertainties today.
But Christ's eternal nature isn't just about the past; it's central to God's plan of redemption. Jesus' presence in eternity past demonstrates that God's plan for salvation wasn't a reactionary measure to humanity's sin. It was always part of the divine plan. As Peter reminds us in his first epistle, Christ was "chosen before the creation of the world" for our redemption.
This eternal plan came to fruition in a moment of time when "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The eternal Christ stepped into human history, taking on our flesh, experiencing our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and struggles. He became Emmanuel - God with us - not just in a spiritual sense, but in a tangible, physical reality.
Why is this important? Because it means that Jesus understands us completely. He's not a distant deity, removed from our experiences. He lived among us, felt what we feel, faced temptations as we do. This incarnation - this 'enfleshment' of the eternal Word - bridges the gap between the divine and the human, allowing us to approach God with confidence, knowing that our High Priest sympathizes with our weaknesses.
But the story doesn't end with Christ's earthly ministry. The eternal Word continues to be present with us today through the Holy Spirit. When we receive Christ, we become children of God, and His Spirit dwells within us, guiding, sustaining, and calling us to follow Him in our daily lives.
Paul, in Ephesians, describes the Holy Spirit as a "seal" and a "deposit guaranteeing our inheritance." This is a powerful image of security and promise. Just as Christ was there in the beginning, and just as He was present in the flesh, He is with us now through His Spirit, and He will be with us in the future.
This assurance of Christ's eternal presence gives us hope not just for this life, but for the life to come. It points us toward the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan when, as Paul writes, all things will be united under Christ. Our eternal future is secure because the eternal Christ holds it in His hands.
As we reflect on these profound truths, we're invited to see our lives, our world, and our faith through a new lens. We're part of a story that began before time itself, a story of love, redemption, and purpose that spans eternity. In every joy and every sorrow, in every triumph and every challenge, we can rest in the knowledge that Christ is there.
He was there in the beginning, creating and sustaining all things.
He was there in history, taking on our flesh and revealing God's glory.
He is here now, through His Spirit, guiding and empowering us.
And He will be there in our future, bringing all things to their appointed end.
This is the heart of our faith - not just a historical figure or a moral teacher, but the eternal Word, the immortal and invisible God, wise beyond compare. His presence was then, is now, and always will be. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, we can anchor ourselves in this unchanging truth: He was there, He is here, and He always will be.
As you go about your day, pause and reflect on this eternal presence. How might it change the way you view your circumstances? How might it deepen your trust in God's plan? How might it inspire you to live in light of eternity?
Remember, you are part of a story that began before time and will continue beyond it. You are loved by an eternal God who chose you before the foundation of the world. Let this truth fill you with wonder, with gratitude, and with hope. For in all things, at all times, He is there.
Regards and Blessings to All
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