Manifesting Jesus’ Presence

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…”
Ephesians 5:8-10

Jesus was dead. He was crucified and buried in the tomb for three days.

Two disillusioned men were walking away from this tragic event. They were headed to a nearby village. A stranger joined them on the road and as he walked with them noticed their sorrow and asked them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

The stranger was not physically identifiable to the two sorrowful men. They let him join in their journey and conversation. The stranger explained from the Scriptures about Jesus and His purpose.

As they came near the village the stranger indicated that he was going to continue on, but the two men compelled him to join them to rest for the evening and take a meal with them. During the meal the stranger took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly their eyes were open and they KNEW THAT THE STRANGER WAS JESUS.

When Jesus vanished from their sight, they exclaimed, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

Jesus, as a stranger on the road, did not have a physical appearance recognized by the travelers. He was a stranger. Yet as he walked and talked with them as a man, their hearts burned in them. The word burn means that their hearts were set on fire or lighted up. The presence of Jesus penetrated flesh and made manifest the light even as he was yet unknown in the flesh.

When Jesus ascended and sent his Spirit to indwell His children He told us that we would walk as he walked (John 14:12-14, 20:21, 1 Peter 2:21, Ephesians 5:1-2).

In fact, 2 Peter 1:4 tells us that we are partakers of the divine nature. Based on word meanings, we are companions/partners of the Godhead’s (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) origin. Our natural, supernatural orientation is the indwelling presence of the Trinity and the manifestation of His presence. Jesus said to His father in John 17:20-26 “…You, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

What if we can manifest the presence of Jesus as the traveling stranger did? No, we are not Jesus, but the Spirit of Jesus Himself indwells us so that we can walk just as he did. Should this truth not confirm to us that when we interact with others there is a manifestation of Jesus that penetrates flesh and blood and causes hearts to “burn” within them?

Jesus walked as a man in human flesh and form, just like us. When Jesus encountered the demon possessed, He did not have to announce who he was. Nor did Satan have a wanted poster with Jesus photo on it so the demons could recognize his physical form. The presence of Jesus – His Spirit, penetrated flesh to reveal His presence, to shine the light of his glory. This is what the demons recognized and feared. The Spirit of Jesus (not his face) was his recognizable attribute.

Often, when I interact with people (especially strangers), I catch a subtleness in their demeanor. Sometimes they seem uncomfortable or have difficulty looking into my eyes. Other times people seem drawn to me as if I have been given supernatural favor with them. Occasionally, someone might comment on the friendly or trustworthy look in my eyes or face and respond in conversation with openness and trust.

Why would not their hearts be burning inside because they are experiencing the presence of Jesus? They might not readily recognize their experience being Jesus, but I recognize it. Jesus lives in me and manifests Himself through flesh and bone. He is interested in setting people free, exposing darkness, healing, and adopting people into His kingdom.

What does this mean for me?

1. I need to believe in His presence. I must believe that what Jesus says about me is true. He indwells my body as a temple of His Holy Spirit. My body is the Holy of Holies and the glory of God sits on the throne of my heart.
2. I need to accept His presence in me. I must align my brain and heart with this reality and abandon myself to it. My flesh must embrace His presence. I can be in the presence of my wife, but when I embrace her – accept and receive her presence, there is an intimacy and synergy that changes the atmosphere. And it changes our conversation. Breath Him in and exhale all your doubts and misgivings.
3. I must recognize and acknowledge His presence in me. Acknowledging Jesus’ presence in me and conversing with Him from that position changes my whole approach as I interact with others throughout the day.
4. I must take responsibility for His presence. Jesus walked in obedience to His Father. He yielded and defined his words and actions by fulfilling only the will and heart of the Father. How are my words and actions with others working in alignment and unison with the manifest presence of Jesus? Am I operating in unison with His presence in me?

Eventually, Jesus the stranger, made Himself known as JESUS and it literally changed their lives setting them free from their sorrow and disillusionment.

When you go about your day, be cognizant of Jesus’ presence in you. As you interact with others, be aware of how they are responding. What is Jesus doing in that moment? Look into their eyes to see the reaction of their heart to the presence of Jesus. Be prepared to say and do that which Jesus is doing. Your responsibility may simply be a smile and “thank you”. It might be a helpful hand. It might be a conversation and prayer. It may be expounding the Scriptures in a way that answers their questions, addresses their fears, doubts, and sorrows. There is no telling what the Holy Spirit may have you do in cooperation with Him. But I can guarantee that God’s presence will make an impact. As a friend of mine so aptly says, God’s presence will make others mad, sad, or glad. Even an adverse reaction from others may be the evidence that they are experiencing the presence of Jesus.

Test this word on the next person you encounter. Ask Holy Spirit to open your eyes to recognize how Jesus’ presence in you is affecting others. Uncover the light that you are.