Monday, November 6, 2017
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS
Imagine yourself one of the disciples of Jesus on the day He gave the Great Commission. This is the same Jesus that you saw beaten, bloody, humiliated, and hanging on a cross not that long ago. He hung there because He dared to speak the truth of God's saving Word and because of that, the religious leaders of the day hated Him enough to have Him crucified. Those religious leaders were still leading. You remember that Jesus once told you that as they hated Him they would also hate you (John 15:18). And now He is telling you to go and make disciples by baptizing and teaching!
Let's make no mistake, Jesus was sending His disciples out on a very difficult and dangerous mission. So dangerous in fact, that most, if not all of them, would lose their lives for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For the most part, we don't need to fear for our lives when we spread the Gospel. But it can still be intimidating. And we could all use a little extra comfort and encouragement as we go about the blessed privilege of proclaiming the Good News. And so, Jesus attaches a promise to this great commission. He tells His disciples then and He tells us now "I will be with you always!"
There is no place too dangerous or too difficult for Jesus to accompany us. He is there with us to strengthen and encourage us in the face of every trial. And this promise comes from the faithful Son of God who has kept every promise He has ever made. He promises to be with us always!
