WHERE IS CHRIST? by M. E. K.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 20, 1898

WHERE IS CHRIST?

By M. E. K.

A writer in the Catholic Mirror of October 16, describing a new shrine in an American Catholic Church, says:—

The altar is of Gothic style, standing twenty-seven feet high, beautifully finished in cream and gold, and in the niche of the shrine, a handsome statue of the Queen of heaven is placed, looking down with joy at the tabernacle wherein rests her divine Son, surrounded now not by a rabble and clothed in a purple rag but clothed in satin and gold with loving children kneeling at His feet full of sympathy and affection.

The above statement illustrates the Catholic idea of the mass—that the consecrated bread is the Son of God Himself. We once heard a Catholic priest preaching upon the “real presence,” say, “I worship God in heaven,” and then turning toward the altar, where lay the bread of the sacrament, and bending reverently before it, he further said, “and I worship the bread.”

To a Protestant this is a form of idolatry, because there is no scriptural proof that the bread is Christ. To worship senseless and powerless bread is all one with worshiping wood and stone, to which “the heathen in his blindness” bows himself.

But to the question, Where is Christ? let the Word of God answer. After His resurrection, to the wondering Mary, Jesus said: “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” John 20:17. So then, after He had spoken unto them, “He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19. There, at the right hand of God, position of power and authority, Stephen saw Him at the time of His martyrdom. Acts 7:56. Much more testimony from the Scriptures might be quoted upon this point, but these are sufficient. Christ is in heaven. His position at the right hand of God is suggestive of His power and authority as He Himself showed by His words to the high priest, “Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62.

There is one other place where Jesus is declared to be: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa. 57:15. So the Lord does come to earth to dwell with those who, in humility of soul, serve Him. And we recall that just after giving to His disciples the great commission to teach all nations, He added these cheering words, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20.

The way He comes to each trusting and believing one, He has also made clear to us. “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.” John 14:18. “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” John 16:7. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16. So Jesus Himself personally is in heaven, and He is also here with the believer, by and only by His representative, the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.

From this study we gain the thought that Jesus, at the right hand of God, with all power in heaven and earth in His hands, knows all our hearts, our dangers, our needs, our desires for His help; and from His throne of grace, through the Holy Spirit, He ministers to us in every way to turn us from evil, to guide us aright, to strengthen our faith, to confirm our hope, and to be to each one of us what He would be could He be personally with us as He was with Peter, James, and John.

The Jews, filled with self-righteousness and pride, could not discern the Lord when He came in humble guise, and is there not danger that we may not discern the operations of His Spirit, and so not know when He comes to us?

“They were all looking for a King To slay their foes and lift them high. Thou cam’st, a little baby thing That made a woman cry. O Son of Man, to right my lot Naught but Thy presence can avail; Yet on the road Thy wheels are not, Nor on the sea Thy sail. My How, or When, Thou wilt not heed, But comest down Thy secret stair, That Thou may’st answer all my need, Yea, every bygone prayer.” M. E. K.