I am with you always

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” - Matthew 28v20

The poor disciples must have been in a state of total confusion. Their Teacher had died, and from all appearances risen again. In their minds, not any different than ours, the surely wondered what was going on. No wonder we read that “some doubted.” The word “doubted” is not limited to questioning, but can simply imply that some were wavering. Jesus did the loving thing. He called them all together for a word of encouragement.

Jesus gave the disciples what surely must have added to some of their confusion. “I want you to go out into all the nations of the world. As you go I want you to make disciples, teach them to observe what I have taught, and to baptise them.

Here we have eleven simple men. No great leaders, no big business men, no powerful politicians. They are told to out into the whole world and tell others what Jesus had done. What an incredibly daunting task! Now fear must have entered their minds as well as confusion.

Jesus’ next words must have made everything right – “Lo, I am with you always.” I don’t know if they thought He would physically be there, but we now know what He meant. His power, influence, and strength would be with them always. He would never leave them alone to set out on this impossible task.

Jesus still is with us today. The Bible makes that abundantly clear in passage after passage. Like the disciples we need not fear doing what He wants us to do. He doesn’t send us out alone – He is always with us!