by Pastor Peter Miguelez

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” 

John 1:14    

    When the first couple sinned in paradise, they not only lost access to the garden and the tree of life, but they also raised a barrier between humanity and God that would be impossible to human beings to cross by themselves. 

    The truth is that our sins and even our own sinful nature create a gap between God and us, and even if we theoretically know that God is omnipresent, many times, we cannot feel His presence among us. Who has never prayed and had the feeling that their prayers were not being heard? Who has never felt alone and looked up to the sky and thought God had forgotten them? Who has never felt "not enough" to contemplate God? 

    This was also the situation of the people of Israel more than 2000 years ago after 400 years without any prophet. But the Intertestamental Period (time between the Old and New Testaments), also known as 400 silent years, finished with the greatest manifestation and revelation of God's Glory: Immanuel. I know it is not Christmas time, but the Messiah boy was born, and it is to be celebrated every day in our lives.

    As once shown in the desert, God's will to dwell among His people (Ex. 25:8), now God becomes a human being to dwell among us again. For that, Ellen White states that "Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners."

    The gap between God and humanity was crossed by The God/Human Messiah, Who not only crossed it but also enabled access to God through Him. God's love for His creatures was [and still is] so great that He decided to come Himself to save us. The King became a servant and left all the royalty behind to die for love. By doing that, He made a bridge that gives us access to God again.  

    Next time you pray, remember that Jesus Christ is the intersection between you and God Father. He came to this world and took upon Himself humanity, so He understands your pain and suffering. You are not praying for a God Who does not understand what you are going through, but to a God Who left everything behind to save you and restore the relationship between you and Him.