Today is the last day of our “summer.” My middle daughter begins her second year of teaching and my oldest and youngest fly back to their homes in Las Vegas after a week at home. I am savoring these last few hours in their presence. I will send them off with prayers and good wishes, knowing that God willing, I will seen them again at Thanksgiving.
These last 5 days with my adult children have been irreplaceable. I had the days planned out so we would be able to relax and make memories. Of course it did not all go as I planned, but being together as a family of 5 for a few days was lovely. Tomorrow morning I will give them the last hug, the last look, and probably one more piece of encouragement as they walk into the airport. I want them to walk away knowing that the last few days were memorable and that they are loved more than they know.
Today, in Matthew 28 we read about The Great Commission. This is Jesus’ last earthly message to his disciples. He wants them to remember this message…
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
He tells them to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES! The disciple’s had been with Jesus for the past 3 years. They had been learning from him and doing as He did. For those 3 years they did not have to do ministry alone or without his oversight. For the first time they were being commissioned to go the nations and tell the Good News by themselves.
This might have made the disciples fearful, to go alone, but Jesus gives them His assurance at the end of this chapter. He is quick to assure them that He will ALWAYS be with them, even to the end of time.
They would not be alone as they shared the Good News with others. Jesus would be with them through their doubts and fears. This would be their first time to go and share the Gospel without Him, but they did not have to do this alone.
We have this same confidence, we are not alone. Jesus assures us that He is always with us. He is with us in our highest highs and our lowest lows. He is with us in our doubts and fears. Jesus is always with us, helping us, guiding us and pouring into us.
God’s promise to always be with us is a powerful truth that we can hold on to. No matter what we are facing, we can trust that God is with us and giving us strength. As we step into this new season and life changes before us, (saying goodbye to children for me) let us remember that God is always with us as we share His love with all those we encounter.