"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" -Matthew 28:20
Jesus made this promise to His disciples after He had sent them out into the world to make disciples in all the nations. Reassuring them, He promised that His abiding presence would be with them as they went out. This promise extends to believers in the Twenty-first century through the Holy Spirit. Jesus' promise suggests that there will never be a time when His abiding presence isn't with us. Even to the end of the age means every moment of our lives until eternity. So Jesus' abiding presence will be with us every moment of our lives until we enter eternity with Him.
Let's take a deeper look at this promise. It was made after Jesus had commissioned His disciples to go out and make other disciples. They were instructed to expand God's Kingdom, and the promise was made to those who were working in the vineyard. God does not intend for us to sit on our hunches after we receive salvation. Yes, there is a season where we are growing in the knowledge of God and His Kingdom. Before they were sent out, the disciples walked with Christ, and He taught them. Eventually, they were put to work, but the process is the same for today's believers. We are called to spiritual growth and maturity so that we can go out and make disciples in the world in whatever fashion God has prescribed. Some people will do it from the pulpit, others will do it in the marketplace. Some will do it in the boardroom, while others will do it in the classroom.
Jesus was promising them, and us, that we won't be on our own while we're making disciples. As we minister, showing love, kindness, and grace to others to make disciples in our sphere of influence, Jesus' promise is backed by His authority over all heaven and earth. His promise empowers us to do the things we would not normally do. As we face hardships on this Christian journey, we can draw strength from this promise. We can find comfort in the fact that we're never alone. Jesus' promise is maintained through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As we yield to Him, we will begin to walk with Him, and He will carry the load of our callings and responsibilities. Beloved, take comfort in knowing that Jesus' perpetual presence is with you as you keep your hand on the plow.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the abiding presence of your Son through the Holy Spirit. We know that you will never leave nor forsake us as we make disciples for the Kingdom. We ask for your strength and endurance to continue to work in the vineyard. In Jesus' name. Amen
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