Why Christ’s Presence Matters for Believers

What is Christ’s presence?

Christ’s presence refers to Jesus’ ongoing, spiritual, and tangible companionship with believers, as affirmed in Scripture and central to Christian life.

This concept is rooted in Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20: “I am with you always, to the end of the age,” which assures believers of His unbroken fellowship. Christian tradition interprets this as a divine commitment to guide, sustain, and dwell within those who follow Him. It is both a comfort and a call to active discipleship.

Scripture further describes Christ’s presence as both transcendent and intimate, revealed through His Word, sacraments, and the lives of His people. Exploring how the Bible portrays this presence deepens our understanding of His active role in the world and the Church.

Christ’s Presence in the Old Testament

The Old Testament reveals God’s dynamic presence with Israel through symbols like the Shekinah glory and the Ark of the Covenant, which prefigure Jesus as the ultimate manifestation of divine fellowship.

In Exodus 25:22, God promises Moses that He will speak to Israel from above the mercy seat, symbolizing His covenantal closeness. The Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:4) became a tangible sign of His power, yet its capture and return highlighted the limits of a portable presence. These foreshadowed Jesus, whose presence transcends physical symbols, offering a permanent, personal union with God.

Jesus fulfills these Old Testament patterns by embodying God’s presence in human form (John 1:14), surpassing the fleeting, mediated presence of the Shekinah or Ark. This continuity underscores that Christ is both the fulfillment of God’s covenantal faithfulness and the new reality of divine indwelling for believers.

Christ’s Presence in the New Testament (Matthew 28:20)

Matthew 28:20 culminates the biblical revelation of Christ’s enduring presence, affirming His unbreakable fellowship with believers across time and mission.

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus declares, 'I am with you always, to the end of the age,' a covenantal promise that transcends His physical resurrection. This statement follows His command to make disciples of all nations, anchoring the Church’s mission in His unceasing companionship. The phrase 'to the end of the age' underscores a timeless commitment, ensuring that His presence is not limited by geography, history, or human frailty.

This promise structures Christian discipleship as both a call to obedience and a reliance on divine enablement. Believers are assured that their labor in teaching and baptizing is empowered by Christ’s active involvement, countering despair in times of resistance. The Church’s global mission finds its foundation in this promise, as Jesus’ presence guarantees the success of His redemptive purposes beyond human limitation. For individual believers, it fosters a posture of trust, knowing that Christ’s guidance is integral to living out His commands.

Matthew 28:20 thus encapsulates the New Testament’s vision of Christ’s presence as both a sustaining reality and a missional mandate. This understanding prepares us to explore how the early Church experienced this presence in the Holy Spirit’s work and the Eucharist.

Christ’s Presence in the Church and Believers

Building on Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20, Scripture affirms His presence is both communal and personal, shaping the life of the Church and the heart of each believer.

Christ’s corporate presence is most vividly experienced in the Eucharist, where believers gather to remember His sacrifice. In John 6:56, Jesus declares, 'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him,' a statement that has inspired theological debate between real presence (Catholic transubstantiation), symbolic remembrance (Protestant views), and spiritual participation (Reformed perspectives). Similarly, communal worship (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) reflects His indwelling presence in the Church, which Paul calls 'the temple of God.' This duality - His tangible presence in sacraments and His spiritual unity with His people - underscores the Church as His living body.

Individually, Christ’s presence is realized through the Holy Spirit, who dwells within believers. John 14:17 describes the Spirit as 'the Spirit of truth,' who 'dwells with you and will be in you,' while John 16:13 adds, 'He will guide you into all the truth.' This indwelling presence empowers personal holiness, prayer, and mission, as the Spirit testifies to Christ’s ongoing fellowship. Yet this presence is not static. It is dynamic, responding to faith and obedience.

For believers today, Christ’s presence is both a source of comfort and a call to discipleship. It assures that His guidance is active in communal worship and personal devotion, while challenging them to embody His life in a world longing for His light.

Why Christ’s Presence Matters Today

Christ’s ongoing presence is a living reality that anchors believers in their daily walk with Him.

Scripture affirms that His presence provides guidance through the Holy Spirit (John 14:17), who dwells within believers to illuminate truth and direct their steps. In moments of uncertainty or fear, His nearness offers comfort, as Jesus promised, ‘He will guide you into all the truth’ (John 16:13). This dynamic companionship empowers believers to live faithfully, countering despair with hope and transforming ordinary lives into instruments of His mission.

By sustaining His people through trials and unifying the Church as His body (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), Christ’s presence shapes a hope that transcends temporal struggles, pointing toward the fulfillment of His promise: ‘I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20).

Going Deeper

Exploring Christ’s presence invites further reflection on related themes, such as the Holy Spirit’s role in sustaining believers and the eschatological hope of His ultimate reign.

John 14:18 underscores Jesus’ promise, 'I will not leave you as orphans,' highlighting His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:15-20 expands this by declaring Christ as the image of God and the head of the Church, affirming His ongoing supremacy and presence in creation’s redemption.