Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 28:16-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. Verse 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Verse 18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Verse 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Verse 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Devotion
“Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
A promise is a promise … Jesus promised his disciples that he would be with them always, to the end of the age; not only today or tomorrow or the next day, but always … to the end of the age. This promise was a sign of comfort to the disciples as they moved forward to fulfill the call to make disciples of all nations, teaching and baptizing them in the name of the Triune God.
Jesus, who promised his disciples the day of His ascension, has kept his promise. He is with us even today; he will be with us tomorrow. The Lord -- who is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the great I AM, Emmanuel, God with us, the one who came down to be with us, to become one of us, the one who lived among us to suffer and to die for us to redeem us -- still assures us of His presence: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Prayer
Lord, you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Please help us to cling to your promises that you are with us always, to the end of the age. In Jesus’ name, Amen.