Amazing things happen when we take the Lord at his word. The angel told the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee and look for Jesus because he had gone before them. God keeps his promises. On a hillside, they saw Jesus. Notice their responses: some of them worshiped and some of them doubted. On any given day in any given church, if people were honest, we might find similar responses. Some are falling before Jesus with gratitude. Others are just not sure. There is room for both in the body of Christ. We belong together and sometimes some of us believe for others as we are finding our way through our doubts.
Jesus commissioned his church on that day. He provides the greatest power in all the world to accomplish the greatest purpose in all the world as he offers the greatest promise in all the world. Jesus has all authority. He wants us to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them. Best of all, Jesus promises he will never leave us. By his Spirit, Jesus is always with his people. He goes before us, behind us and lives within us. When we are making disciples together, we will experience the fullness of his promised presence.
How long will Jesus be with us? He is the friend who stays to the end. Jesus will be the last one standing with us even if our families and friends forsake us. By the way, there is an end. This world as we know it will not go on forever. There will be a payday, some day. We will stand before Jesus who has gone before us. This motivates us to practice his presence and to obey him today. Jesus is with us everywhere we go. How then shall we live? In his power, for his purpose, believing his promise.
