A couple weeks ago I posted on the hidden nature of Jesus because of the ascension. Acts 1:9 records that Jesus was taken up before the disciples very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. The hidden nature of Christ after the ascension is somewhat hard to make sense of. Matthew promises that where two or three are gathered, there Christ is as well. But John says that the Spirit cannot come until Christ ascends. There is a paradox of his absence and presence. Most of the time we consider the benefit of Christ to be his presence--however we make sense of it: for discipleship/sanctification; worship; communion; joy/peace/etc. However, I believe that his absence holds benefit, as well. Colossians 3 records Paul's exhortation to live the resurrection life: Set our hearts on the realm of heaven where Christ reigns ("is seated," 3:1, via the ascension). Because we died to the "world," we can live the resurrection in the world (where else can we live it?). Yet such living is dangerous; it got this letter's author killed. Yet Paul says that our life is hidden with Christ in God (v. 3) and that when Christ appears (now being hidden) we will also appear with him in glory--because he is our life. The resurrection life--life lived in the realm of the reigning Messiah--appears for all to see.
God protects the resurrection life in the hidden Messiah. As much as Christ is present, he brings change, spurs worship, and unites us. As much as he is hidden, we are protected. How upside down! The absent King is our protection!
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