The Best Promise Ever

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Scripture:

Matt. 28:16 ¶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
Matt. 28:17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matt. 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matt. 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation:

Jesus has risen from the dead and has been appearing to his disciples in many locations.  Now they are on the mountain in Galilee and as they are gathered together Jesus gives them the “Great Commission.”  This is the set of instructions they are to follow in the days, months and years ahead.  At the end of this Commission he gives them the incredible promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  At that moment they would not have understood what those words meant.  Jesus would soon ascend into heaven and be physically gone from their presence, but he would leave them with the promise.  The promise that he would be with them always was a powerful promise because he would be sending the Holy Spirit.  Through the presence of the Holy Spirit it would be possible that Jesus could be with his disciples always and “to the end of the age.” 

Application:

The Commission and the Promise were not just for the disciples of the first century but for all disciples who would follow after Jesus.  The best promise that was ever given was that Jesus would be with us always!

No matter what life throws our way we are never abandoned by the Lord.  Yes, there will be times when we do not understand what it is that is going on and yet, he will be there. The follower of Christ is invited to live into the Great Commission and through a lifestyle of discipleship experience the all-encompassing presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit.  This is the best promise ever and it will change the way in which we live every single day.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this incredible promise and the joy of experiencing you through the Holy Spirit.  Amen.




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