With You ALWAYS!

“…LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD.” MATTHEW 28:20

Familiar words! Jesus’ words. He spoke them to His disciples just before He ascended into heaven.

The disciples had a history with Jesus: traveling with Him; witnessing His miracles; listening as He spoke God’s Truth to the masses; seeing His loving heart express empathy for the hurting people who flocked to Him; hoping against hope that He would deliver His people from the horrible, crushing rule of the Romans.

And then He died! He was gone. His death was a reality. They were left with disappointment, loneliness and fear for their very lives. After His crucifixion and before His resurrection, Jesus’ disciples retreated to an upper room, to discuss what they should do now! They had so many questions and few answers. All seemed lost - no Hope!

Then Jesus came. He came alive and He came to them. What a time of rejoicing there must have been in that room. Faith restored. Anxiety gone. The One they loved was with them again.

Before He died, He had promised that things would unfold this way; but, they basically missed it. Their finite minds had trouble understanding an infinite plan. And, so, they hurt. Oh, how they hurt.

Then, just as things seemed to be getting back to “normal” with their Friend - Who was now also their Savior - He was leaving them again; but with a promise on His lips: “…LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD.” MATTHEW 28:20

It’s a promise He makes to you and me.

Like the disciples, our own loss can produce loneliness, fear, doubt, anxiety, indescribable pain -  and SO many “why” questions: “What were You thinking, God?” “Why has this happened to me?” “How can I live with my loss?” “What do I do next?” He responds, “I am with you always…” He responds with empathy - not sympathy that simply says, “I’m sorry for you,” and goes its way. Empathy says, “I’m with you.” “I feel the loss, the pain with you.” He can understand like no other because He experienced loss - BIG TIME - at the cross. His own Father turned away from His Son, because Jesus’ body was so filthy with the sins of mankind, your sins and mine, on it, that God couldn’t look at Him. I can’t even imagine Jesus’ pain at being abandoned in this way.

This is all part of God’s amazing plan - for our salvation and for the Hope of Heaven; but, also for the help we need right now. “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103:13-14

He is SO with us - in understanding, in compassion, in His presence.

The disciples missed the plan. Especially, when we’re hurting, we can miss it too, and all the comfort that embracing He will be with you always can provide. That’s why I write this reminder to you - and to me!