Matthew 28:20b (NLT) And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. INTRODUCTION How is Jesus with us? Jesus was with the disciples physically until he ascended into heaven, and then spiritually through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). The Holy Spirit would be Jesus presence that would never leave them (John 14:26). Jesus continues to be with us today through his Spirit. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL God's Presence These words are Christ's promise to all His disciples, and it is a promise that is marvelously inclusive. No situation is excluded; no challenge is omitted. Dr. Handley Moule, the noted Greek scholar and Anglican Bishop of Durham (England) in another generation, maintained that the word always could be paraphrased to mean "I am with you all the days, all day long." That means we can count on Christ's presence not only every day, but every moment of every day. Of the fact of His presence there can be no doubt, for His Word cannot fail. What We Need Is To Cultivate The Sense Of His Presence, Everyday, Every Hour, Every Moment. This Happens As We Speak To Him In Worship And Prayer, And Listen To Him Speak To Us Through His Word, The Bible. Christ's Presence Means That You Will Never Face Anything Alone. He Is With You In The Valley And Marches With You Into Battle. It's Never You Against The World, It's You With The One Who Has Overcome The World. [Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham] COMMENTARY The Masters Voice The mark of a disciple is his or her ability to hear the Masters voice! The world rams at your door, but Jesus taps. Voices scream for your allegiance, but Jesus softly and tenderly requests it. Which voice do you hear? There is never a time during which Jesus is not speaking. Never. There is never a place in which Jesus is not present. Ever. There is never a time when He is not tapping gently on the doors of our hearts - waiting to be invited in. Few hear His voice. Fewer still open the door. But never interpret our numbness as His absence. For amidst the fleeting promises of pleasure is the timeless promise of His presence. Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard if we will but listen! [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com] COMMENTARY ILLUSTRATIONS Isolation And Loneliness Recently I began reading A funny novel about an awkward young female character, and early in the story, she mentions she had gone an entire weekend without speaking to a single human being. She asks herself; "I exist, don't I?" This was supposed to be funny, but it hit too close to home. For the past few months, I've been fighting loneliness. As a writer, I spend a lot of time isolated. Because my husband travels and our children no longer live at home, the empty rooms, tidy floors, and squeaky-clean bathrooms make our home feel deserted. Also, many close friends have drifted in different directions. So, when I read those words, I panicked and thought, That could be me. I used to look forward to solitary time, but now that I have lots of it, I dread it. I've found the ache of loneliness so intense that sometimes I'm immobilized and can even sink into self-pity. I know this is not Jesus's desire for me. He doesn't want me to stay stuck in a slump, feeling forgotten or believing no one cares. So, during this season of isolation, I'm making a daily choice to spend time with Jesus and also reach out to friends. I put that novel back on the shelf to read in a less lonely season. I picked up my phone and made plans to meet a friend for lunch, then grabbed my Bible to spend time with Jesus because He is always there for me. Jeannie Blackmer Faith Step: Write Matthew 28:20 on a piece of paper and tape it on your mirror to remind you of His caring presence. [Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] Encouraged to Fly A red-tailed hawk lives somewhere down in the green space behind our fence. We'd heard the hawk's piercing cry before but figured it was the scrub jays again, imitating the hawk's call. That high-pitched screech sends the mourning doves, quail, and songbirds scattering for cover - leaving those jays laughing as they claim our abandoned bird feeder and scarf down the seed. This time, the piercing cries really were from hawks: not one, but three. Mom's cry sounded encouraging, mature, and confident; the babies sounded so pathetic, I wanted to weep. We kept trying to spot them, and then two perched in our tree. They weren't babies. They looked more like adolescents. And could they make noise! They'd swivel their heads and cry and cry, and Mom would answer. I started imagining the conversation: "Mom! We're hungry! Where's the vole?" "You said you didn't like vole." "What about that field mouse down there? He looks tasty." "You've got wings. You flew to that limb, didn't you? You've got eyes! You just spotted that mouse. Go get him." "Ah, Mooommm. We're tired. We're hungry. You do it." "You're old enough to learn how to earn your own living." "But we're scared, Mom. What if we crash-dive? What if we come up empty?" "You don't think I crash-dived when I was learning? You don't think I failed? I had to learn too. Now get off your tail feathers and go for it!" I was cheering them on. "Go for those mice! Get that rattlesnake! Come on, hawklet! Come on, hawkling! You can do it!" Sometimes it feels like God is abandoning us to fend for ourselves. But He is always right behind us, encouraging us to do the right thing. Encouraging us when we fail. Helping us grow into the people we were meant to be. God loves us too much to let us stay where we are. He is always working for our growth, equipping us for new things and supporting us along the way. As Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (NIV). Take heart, and don't be afraid to fly! Have you ever felt that God is abandoning you? How could it change your mind-set to consider that He might be giving you space to step out in faith and courage? How do we know that God is always with us? Heavenly Father, so often my fear of failing keeps me from having the courage to step out in faith. Thank You for never leaving me. Help me to remember that You are with me every step of the way, encouraging me, going before me, and molding me into the person You have created me to be. [Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers] Its a Jungle Out There The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?! The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, I am the path. We ask the same questions, dont we? We ask God, Where are you taking me? Where is the path? And he, like the guide, doesnt tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but thats all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself. Does he remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick. Does he purge the predators? No, danger still lurks. Jesus doesnt give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end. I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matt. 28:20 NIV). We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need hope. Some of you dont need it right now. Your jungle has become a meadow and your journey a delight. If such is the case, congratulations. But remember - we do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not know where this road will lead. You may be one turn from a cemetery, from a hospital bed, from an empty house. You may be a bend in the road from a jungle. And though you dont need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow. And you need to know to whom to turn. Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out. If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice. And hes just waiting for your request. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC Matthew 28:20b - Christ Our Constant Companion! http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180408-1904.html Hebrews 13:5 - Always There! http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190813-1050.html Joshua 1:9 - Courage in Calamity: The Dynamics. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160305-1530.html YOUR COMMENTS If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT Most Important Decision in Life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: https://stepstopeace.org/ Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782 Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ Amazing Facts Bible Studies: http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study Guides: https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/ LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/ Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657 Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE