"And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Matthew 28:20 [Sunrise Photo May 15 2013]

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Matthew 28:20 [Sunrise Photo May 15 2013]

Day 45  Lo, I am with you always…

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  Matthew 28:18-20

These are the very last words of Jesus recorded by Matthew. This scripture has been a great comfort to me, as I’m sure it was to his disciples. He transferred leadership of his mission to his successors, as unlikely as they were.

The presence of Christ, his Spirit – the Holy Spirit,  would be with them, to give them hope and courage. And Jesus promises to do that for us today.

We are not in this life, this mission,  this fight, this journey, this story – alone. To all who believe, Jesus is right there beside us, “guarding, guiding all the way.”

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Jesus Son of God, articulates the heart of God the Father, who promises to “never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (Moses commission to Joshua)

The presence of Jesus will be with us forever – til the end of all time. Until the end of the world as we know it.

“I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” The Message

Let’s Pray:

Today’s prayer is an excerpt from  Adam Clarke’s [1831] Bible Commentary at the end of Matthew. I invite you to pray with me.

May the Divine Author of this sacred book give the reader a heart-felt experience of all the truths it contains; make and keep him wise unto salvation; build him up in this most holy faith; and give him an inheritance among the blessed, through Christ Jesus, the Friend of mankind, and the Savior of sinners, who is the object and end of this glorious system of truth! And to Him, with the Father and Eternal Spirit, be glory and dominion, thanksgiving and obedience, for ever and ever, Amen and amen!

About This Devotional Series

According to the historical church calendar, the Easter season is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  I’ll post a fresh devotional thought with my sunrise photo of that morning, everyday through Pentecost, commenting as the Spirit inspires. Check out the rest of the series here.

Invite your friends.

If this series is helpful to you,  please forward and share with your friends through e-mail, Twitter, Facebook – whatever, just click the share buttons on this page.  Join us on the journey from Easter to Pentecost! 

Would you like more devotionals like this? 

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment.