JESUS IS EVERYWHERE, IN ALL PLACES AROUND THE WORLD

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

JESUS IS EVERYWHERE, IN ALL PLACES AROUND THE WORLD Biblical Foundation:

In the Gospel of Matthew 18:20, Jesus proclaims,

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”

This statement asserts that Jesus is present wherever His followers assemble in His name, regardless of geographical boundaries. The capacity to be present everywhere at all times is a unique attribute traditionally ascribed only to God—namely, omnipresence.

Theological Reflection:
The doctrine of omnipresence refers to the divine attribute of being present everywhere simultaneously. In Christian theology, this attribute is exclusively reserved for God. Thus, when Jesus declares His presence among believers wherever they gather, He is making an implicit claim to divinity.

Christological Implications:
The omnipresence of Jesus Christ is further attested in other New Testament passages, such as Matthew 28:20, where Jesus affirms,

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This promise underscores the unbounded, ever-present nature of Christ’s presence with His followers. Such declarations reinforce the Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus, aligning Him with the very nature of God, who alone is omnipresent (see Psalm 139:7–10).

Scholarly Commentary:
The affirmation that “Jesus is omnipresent” is not merely a theological assertion but is deeply rooted in the scriptural testimony of Christ’s own words. The context of Matthew 18:20 reveals that the presence of Jesus among believers is not symbolic but a real and dynamic reality. As noted by various biblical scholars, the omnipresence of Christ ensures that the Church, regardless of its physical location, is always under His immediate supervision, guidance, and fellowship.

Furthermore, this claim distinguishes Jesus from all other human figures and prophets, establishing His unique role within the Christian faith as both fully God and fully man. The capacity to be present everywhere at all times is, according to orthodox Christian doctrine, definitive proof of Christ’s divine nature.

Conclusion:
In summary, the teaching of Matthew 18:20 affirms the omnipresence of Jesus Christ, a prerogative of divinity. Wherever two or three are gathered in His name, Christ is genuinely present among them. This truth forms a foundational pillar of Christian worship, ecclesiology, and Christology.

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Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
November 16, 2016

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