Jesus lives! Jesus lives eternally. That means that he has always existed; he has always lived! He is eternal life; he is the source of life.
First, remember that Jesus “was” in the pre-Incarnation. He was participant in the creation. John begins his gospel with the statement, “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, the Word was God” (John 1). The Godhead is above time, space and matter. The Godhead does not inhabit space, time, or matter. We humans want to ask, “Where was Jesus before he was born?” but it is not a valid question. There is no “where” for Jesus pre-incarnate.
Second, Jesus lives in the Incarnation. What’s the big deal about Christmas and the birth of Jesus? We can answer the “where” question, and the “when” question. He inhabits our time and space. “The Word became flesh” (John 1). This is the Immanuel; this is God with us. And consider also, the passion and resurrection could never be if it were not for the birth. For many, the story of his birth is what makes Jesus real.
Third, Jesus is now at God’s right hand, making intercession for us, explaining our case. (Check out Hebrews 9 for an interesting series–he appeared, he now appears before God, he will one day appear again.) Much of Hebrews 5-10 explains how we draw near to him. We want to know, “Where is this?” Heaven defies physical location. We have access to God through Jesus. This is spiritual reality, not physical.
Finally, Jesus inhabits our hearts (Eph. 3:17). We do not see him; we do not physically touch him. At times, we must admit that we would not even comprehend his presence except for the promise of Scripture.
I applaud that many are thinking about Jesus and the beginning of his physical life on this planet. But the story of his life among us is not complete unless the story of his birth leads to the story of his death on our behalf. I wish that more understood the significance of the eternal existence of the One who is the very image of God, for whom all things were created, the One who now sustains and has always sustained this physical creation (Col. 1; Heb. 1). I wish that more understood the power of his presence before God “for” us. I wish that more understood the importance of his dwelling “within” us.
Will you join me in prayer that we, and as many as we can tell, may more clearly understand the power of Jesus’ existence–before he was born, in his life and death as he lived among us, now in heaven, and in human hearts.
[Note: the first sermon series I am developing in 2022 builds on these truths. I want to start the New Year with a study of God’s presence and power in this world. He is “with” us, He is “for” us, He is “within” us, He is “beside” us, He is “before” us. That these things are true is revealed in Scripture. These things are ultimately true in our lives through the presence of Jesus Christ in our world!]