If a child is separated from his parents for many years, he might wonder if they still love him.

To deal with this crisis, a child will need faith–to trust his parents’ character that they have not forgotten him.

But that faith could also work in another way–not exclusive to the first but complementary to it. A child could receive letters or gifts or messages from and through other people that he believes are sent by his parents.

This would also involve faith. The people relaying the messages would need to be trusted. The gestures would have to be seen as sincere, not as mere formalities from parents who don’t really care.

Likewise, God is not present with us in a visible, interactive way. Jesus has ascended into heaven and we are on earth.

But God has sent us gestures of his love for us and his good faith.  Within the context of Church ministry (other people) he has us hear the word preached and receive sacraments. In baptism God tells us that we are adopted by him and in the Lord’s Supper he affirms that we are members of his household who eat at his table. We are royalty and God himself condescends to be our cupbearer:

I covenant to you, as my Father covenanted to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.