Matthew 28:20b - Christ Our Constant Companion!
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
