January 5

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man who is in heaven.—John 3:13.

IN this striking passage both the immensity and omnipresence of Christ are declared. He affirms that notwithstanding he was known upon the earth, and conversing with one of its inhabitants, yet he was at the very same instant in heaven. Jesus as the divine Lord, fills heaven and earth with his presence and glory. He is "all and in all." (Colossians 3:11.) "He filleth all in all." (Ep. i. 23.) He is "Lord over all." (Romans 10:12.) It is said also that he hath ascended, "that he might fill all things." (Ep. iv. 10.) It is impossible for language to express more fully the immensity and omnipresence of Christ. When he sent forth his disciples to preach the gospel to every creature, he pledged himself to be "with them always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20.) However opposite their spheres of labours, however separated over the surface of the earth, however distant from each other, Christ engaged to be with each of them and all of them, and always, even unto the end of the world. In reference also to his worshipping people, he has promised "wherever two or three are met together in his name, to be in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20.) What a cheering and blessed doctrine is this, to the friends of Christ! At home or abroad, by day or night, in health, or sickness, among friends or enemies, living or dying, they have the presence of Christ! What a powerful stimulus to ministerial courage and hope! Christ is with them, to qualify, to direct, and to succeed all their labours. Should it not also incite us to cultivate all the graces of the spirit and always to act and think, and speak, as in Christ's holy and observing presence.