I am not an expert, and this is not a science article. But a few days ago, I was watching a TikTok video on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and the person explaining the theory said something that stopped me in my tracks.
“The speed of light must remain constant. So instead, space and time adjust.”
The Theory of Relativity is a theory about time, space, speed, and motion. There are two theories, the special relativity, which explains the relationship between time, space, mass, and energy. General relativity, on the other hand, explains how mass affects time and space.
In special relativity, the speed of light in a vacuum remains constant no matter where or how fast the observer’s inertial reference frame is moving. In reality, that would be weird because speed adds up. Light is the exception to nature. Unlike all other speeds, it does not add up with motion. So if light speed does not increase nor decrease for all observers, then time or space or both has to change with motion. This means that time can pass more slowly and length can shrink depending on the motion, so that the speed of light remains constant. Poetically, everything else is relative and adjusts because the speed of light does not change.
Isn’t that just true as well with God? I just love the symbolism and the poetic connection I get. In the Theory of Relativity, light is the constant that everything else adjusts for. In the bible, Jesus has been repeatedly described as the light. I love it most especially in the book of John, as it points to his constancy, preeminence, and sovereignty.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:1-5
Jesus is Constant
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. -John 1:1-3
This passage reveals the divine nature of Jesus, establishing his eternal and unchanging nature. Jesus preexisted with God before the beginning of all time. Jesus is uncreated. In fact, everything was created through him. Jesus is the Word, Jesus is with God, and Jesus is God. As it was said in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
If Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then his character and nature remain the same. He is still the same good God. If it appears to be different now, and if Jesus is indeed constant, then something else shifted. Maybe the change is in the way we feel, in the way we perceive him, how we respond to him, or how aware we are of him. Maybe we are just moving in a different frame of reference now, where what is constant is still present but not always experienced the same way.
Jesus Is Preeminent
I was listening to a song called Name Above All Names by Charity Gayle, and near the bridge, a man who I assumed to be the pastor read Colossians (and I think Ephesians, as these are twin letters). It was about the preeminence of Jesus, also alluding to John 1. I can’t help but picture the vastness of the universe. How intricate its design is. The solar system. It’s beautiful. It makes you wonder what keeps it in order.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. – Colossians 1: 15-18
Remember what I said? That the speed of light is a fundamental constant? In our human perception, this seems instantaneous, but the actual value of the speed of light traveling in a vacuum is 299,792,458 meters per second. Nothing with mass can ever reach or exceed this, making the speed of light the universal speed limit. In special relativity, it becomes not only the limit for motion but also how fast information and influence can travel. This helps preserve causality, meaning cause comes before effect. For example, a message cannot be received without it being sent first. Or in a much simpler example, you have to flip the switch first, then the light turns on. So, the speed of light actually keeps things in order.
I think this echoes a deeper truth in such a beautiful way. The truth that Jesus is before all things. That ALL things were created through him and for him. In Jesus, all things hold together. Isn’t that amazing how it quietly points towards something greater?! Jesus, the light of the world, keeps everything, both physical and spiritual, in order and harmony.
Jesus Is Sovereign
In relativity, everything seems to adjust around something that remains constant. This just reminds me of Jesus’ sovereignty over everything. Throughout his life on earth, Jesus healed the sick, raised someone from the dead, turned water into wine, walked on water, multiplied food, and put somebody’s severed ear back. He has shown authority over things and events that humans cannot control. Even nature listens to the sound of his voice.
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. – Mark 4:39
This tells me that when Jesus speaks, everything and everyone has no choice but to obey. Even death could not contain him. Death used to mean the end of human experience. So, when Jesus rose from the dead, he didn’t just escape death, he redefined finality. His resurrection reveals the finality and irreversibility of his sovereignty over every rule, power, and dominion here on earth or in heaven above.
In the twin letter Ephesians 1:18-23, it says
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
I just love how the Theory of Relativity holds traces of God’s truth in it. The more I read on it, the harder it is to ignore the call for something deeper and greater beyond itself.
Lately, life’s setbacks have kind of dulled my sense of awe and wonder about God. I forgot how great, and big, and awesome He is. When the going gets tough, it’s easy to lose touch with God’s sovereignty over all things. And this revelation kind of brings me back to center. It reminds me that in everything and every time God displays his power and supremacy, he does it for us, the people. It’s always an invitation for a relationship with him. He never fails to show his benefits, because he wants us reconciled with him.
Prayer
Lord, may I never lose the wonder of your glory. Just as you hold all things together, the visible and invisible, what’s above and what’s under, may I always be reminded that you also hold my life together. Jesus, open the eyes of my heart, that I may know the purpose you have set for me, and that it will bring hope in times of uncertainty like the one I am facing now. Remind me that I am your inheritance, and I can never be snatched away from you. Help me take hold of the identity I have in you, that I may speak life over my situation in your name. May the revelation of your preeminence bring forth faith that pleases you. Help me live a life worthy of your name, Jesus. Lord, teach me how to walk this life closely with you so that peace will never leave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
2 responses to “The Theory of Relativity and How It Reminds Me of Jesus”
Praise God for this article. God was also pointing me to look at the comparison between Jesus as the Light of the Word, to that of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and He led me to your article. I love how your article points to the constancy of Jesus because like “Special” relativity, Jesus never changes. When you mentioned the speed of light, it reminds me of how we see stars in the sky at night, or the sun during the day, when the light hits our eyes, we are seeing it in their past. So, when we finally have a revelation (or see) who Christ is, we are seeing Him now, but we are also seeing Him how He was from the foundation of the world – “Forever Constant” and unchanging. But we will see Him again when He comes back again. Blessings.
Hi James! That’s a beautiful revelation about seeing Christ as He was from the foundation of the world! Thank you for sharing that. It left me with a sobering sense of the weight of who He truly is.