The Lord is near.
Summary: Do you ever wonder where Jesus is? He might be closer than you think!
Do you ever feel like Jesus is far away?
It is easy to feel that way. After all, when Stephen is about to be stoned, he says:
“Look, … I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
That sounds like Jesus is far away, doesn’t it?
Maybe.
But then again, maybe not.
The Bible doesn’t tell us any more than that. It is easy to visualize Stephen looking up into the clouds and seeing heaven far off, but that isn’t exactly consistent with what the Bible tells us.
Let’s do a quick review.
First, the Bible tells us that God is Spirit (John 4:24).
Second, the Bible tells us that we are partly spirit, too. God made us out of atoms (“dust of the ground”) and “breathed into his [Adam’s] nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). The definition for “breath” in Hebrew includes immaterial concepts such as “soul” and “spirit.”*
So … God is Spirit, and we as his creation are flesh and spirit.
Because the spiritual realm is immaterial, we can’t touch or feel it like we can solid things like wood or steel. Yet, inside, we all experience thoughts and feelings that no one else can see or touch. Does that mean those thoughts and feelings don’t exist?
No, of course not.
Your thoughts are real to you, even if no one else can see or feel them.
So what about spiritual things? Paul says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV).
He admits that our knowledge of the spiritual realm is sketchy at best. That is why Jesus came from heaven to tell us about heaven (John 3:12-13).
And what did Jesus tell us? He said “… the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). Then, later, he added, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Are you “poor in spirit” (humble)?
If the answer is yes, the kingdom of heaven is near, and so is the king, Jesus.
Application: Keep Paul’s words in mind. Jesus is near!
Food for Thought: How does the idea that Jesus is near impact our daily thinking?
*”H5397 – nᵊšāmâ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 19 Nov, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5397/niv/wlc/0-1/>.
How does the idea that Jesus is near impact our daily thinking?
Today I live in peace knowing Christ has come into my heart, and is the power within me to live according to His will over my own. My focus is on dying to my desires and daily seeking life according to His.
Ephesians 3:17, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Colossians 1:27, To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
At the same time I struggle against myself, an imperfect being living in this broken world. I look forward to His return to earth, and a world where all sin will be abolished and Jesus in the power of His Holiness will rule in our hearts forever.
PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21, But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
2 PETER 3:9, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
REVELATION 21:4, He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Thank you, Ron!
Your comment about struggling against yourself reminds me of Paul’s struggle:
“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19)
Of course, with your long association with the Lord, you and Paul land on the same thought:
“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) 🙂
I like the devotional – and great verses R2T2.
I like the R2T2 used Phil. 3:20 – 21. In light of that passage in our larger context, many (myself included) see the reference to the Lord is near as a reference to Him returning for His church. This potentially being connected with His return reminds us that our citizenship is ultimately in heaven. And it reminds ilia to live in eager expectation of our eternal promises.
Whether we look at it as referring to the fact that Jesus is always nearby through our daily walk with Him and the indwelling Holy Spirit, or if we look at it as living in expectation of Him coming for us – both are true. And both affect our lives by realizing Jesus is desiring a relationship with us that we can participate in now.
Thank you, Rich!
Two reasons to rejoice in the Lord are twice as good! 🙂
* And it reminds us to live in eager expectation of our… not it reminds ilia to live.
Pastor, I had to go back and find it. My mind as old as it is read it right the first time. Paul
😊