Monday's Blessing
Matthew 28:18-20
"Then Jesus came to them and said,
'All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. 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 very end of the age.'"
Today's extended verse is the last recorded words of Jesus in Matthew's account of his life. They are known as "The Greatest Commission." Usually these verses are read in the context of telling the world about Christ's greatest words. Sometimes, depending on the gospel homily they may get overlooked, and yet they are more important than the initial commission in which they are found. Jesus does promise, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Everyday, every minute, every second, Jesus is with us. Sometimes we need to be reminded of that especially through trying times. We may not feel his presence at that exact moment. We may even not believe he is present! After all, how can he do this to us we scream? But that doesn't evade the fact that he is. He is always there by your side. And, this I promise is true no matter how hard it gets.
During the disciples last years on earth I am certain they experience great trials and tribulations. I am certain they wondered at times, "Where is Jesus?" No one is exempt from heartache, even his most devote followers experienced the same.
I have always loved the words from "Footprints in the Sand." It is a beautiful story of someone walking down the beach in great pain. There you see two sets of footprints; his and Christ's. On some of the path there is only one set. At this point it seems he is forgotten through his most difficult period of life. The writer asks, "Did you leave me here at these times?"
Jesus replies, "No, I carried you!"
Father, thank you for never leaving me.
Help me to know that even when I don'f feel
your presence, you are always there.
Help me to remember when I don't feel your love
to pray.
Matthew 28:18-20
"Then Jesus came to them and said,
'All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. 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 very end of the age.'"
Today's extended verse is the last recorded words of Jesus in Matthew's account of his life. They are known as "The Greatest Commission." Usually these verses are read in the context of telling the world about Christ's greatest words. Sometimes, depending on the gospel homily they may get overlooked, and yet they are more important than the initial commission in which they are found. Jesus does promise, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Everyday, every minute, every second, Jesus is with us. Sometimes we need to be reminded of that especially through trying times. We may not feel his presence at that exact moment. We may even not believe he is present! After all, how can he do this to us we scream? But that doesn't evade the fact that he is. He is always there by your side. And, this I promise is true no matter how hard it gets.
During the disciples last years on earth I am certain they experience great trials and tribulations. I am certain they wondered at times, "Where is Jesus?" No one is exempt from heartache, even his most devote followers experienced the same.
I have always loved the words from "Footprints in the Sand." It is a beautiful story of someone walking down the beach in great pain. There you see two sets of footprints; his and Christ's. On some of the path there is only one set. At this point it seems he is forgotten through his most difficult period of life. The writer asks, "Did you leave me here at these times?"
Jesus replies, "No, I carried you!"
Father, thank you for never leaving me.
Help me to know that even when I don'f feel
your presence, you are always there.
Help me to remember when I don't feel your love
to pray.
RSS Feed
