The "IN" Mystery

The man on the moon, nuclear power, electric cars, cyber-space, handheld devices that you can talk on, play on, and communicate with the world on. It is a bit much to grasp sometimes. Yet, we often take it all in stride. As though these kind of accomplishments are no big deal. No one seems to be enamored with the mystery involved in the creation of these types of “victories”, rather they see them as mere standards of living. A perk for living in the twenty-first century.

Of course, there are more significant mysteries in life that seem to stretch the imagination and churn our hearts by the shear magnificence of it all. One of them is the “in” mystery found in John 14:20

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

Naturally, Jesus put this concept into words -rather simple and straightforward words. Nevertheless, I find it an enormous concept to grasp or put into my own words. Christ and God the Father (v.23) finding abode in my heart through the presence of the Holy Spirit. When I contemplate this notion, I am  embarrassed that I don’t do a better job of housecleaning!

In our worship and our Christian pilgrimage we use language like “be with”, “be in our midst”, “we ask your presence”, all related to God or Christ. We even quote Jesus’ words “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:20 ESV).” The truth of the matter is, as Christian individuals and a corporate body of believers, where we are, God is. It is an “in” thing. A mystery of the “in” presence of God – the triune God.

Commentators seem to find it easy to subdue this concept and craft words around it. Preachers proclaim it with utter simplicity and a matter-of-fact tone. Nevertheless, it is something I find almost impossible to get my mind around.  A mystery of supreme importance and eternal significance. A mystery in which I can rejoice mainly because it IS a mystery – the “in” mystery.