December 26

Morning

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. — 1 Cor 15:45 BSB

Jesus is the federal head of His elect people. Just as every descendant of Adam has a personal stake in him as their representative under the covenant of works, so every redeemed soul has a personal connection to the Lord from heaven, who stands as the second Adam and the Substitute of His people under the covenant of grace.

The apostle Paul tells us that Levi was in the loins of Abraham when Melchizedek met him, and in the same way, it is a certainty that every believer was in Christ when the covenant of grace was decreed, ratified, and made sure for all eternity. Everything Christ has done, He has done for the entire body of His Church. We were crucified with Him, buried with Him, and, even more marvelously, we were raised with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places. It is in this way that the Church has fulfilled the law and is “accepted in the Beloved.” The Father delights in His people because He sees them in Christ and does not regard them as separate from their covenant Head.

As the Anointed Redeemer of His people, Jesus shares everything He has with His Church. Just as Adam’s righteousness was ours as long as he maintained it, and his sin became ours the moment he fell, so in the same way, all that the second Adam is and has is ours, because He is our representative. This is the foundation of the covenant of grace, the very system of representation and substitution that moved Justin Martyr to exclaim, “O blessed change, O sweet substitution!” This is the heart of the gospel, and it should be received with deep faith and overwhelming joy.

Evening

and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age. — Matt 28:20 BSB

The Lord Jesus is always present with His Church. He walks among the golden lampstands, just as He promised, "Lo, I am with you always." He is with us now, just as surely as He was with His disciples when they saw Him by the lake, with the coals of fire, fish, and bread. Though not physically present, Jesus is truly with us!

This is a most blessed truth because where Jesus is, love burns brightly. Nothing in this world can ignite the heart like the presence of Jesus! A glimpse of Him is enough to overcome us, so much so that we might say, "Turn Your eyes from me, for they have overwhelmed me!" Even the fragrance of the aloes, myrrh, and cassia from His garments strengthens the weak and faint. Just a moment of resting our head on His bosom, receiving His love, transforms our cold hearts into flames, ready for any labor or suffering. When we know Jesus is with us, every grace is strengthened, and we are empowered to throw ourselves into His service with all our heart, soul, and strength. That is why Christ’s presence is to be desired above all else.

His presence is most fully realized by those who are most like Him. If you want to see Christ, you must grow in conformity to Him. As the Spirit brings your desires, motives, and actions into alignment with Christ’s, you will be more likely to experience His presence. Remember, His presence is available to you—His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us! If He does not come, it is only because we hinder Him with our indifference. He will reveal Himself to our earnest prayers, and He will gladly stay with us when we earnestly plead with Him. Our prayers and tears are the golden chains that bind Jesus to His people!