One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel, the God who is ‘with us.’ This was true of Jesus coming to earth, yet it is also true in Jesus’ ongoing presence of support and care for us throughout our lives. The authority over all things in heaven and on earth is with you and with me…
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
In the story of the Great Commission, in which Jesus gave direction to his followers for the Church age, Jesus reveals two final things about himself which give us great comfort for our times.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus wants us to know that he has authority over heaven and earth. Our Lord is in charge, which we might remember from his statement in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus’ victory extends over all heaven and earth.
This gives us comfort, yet it also makes us long. We long for his rule and reign to overthrow the evil in the world. We long for the redemption of our own bodies (Romans 8:23) so that we will no longer be part of the problem of sin in our world.
A comfort along the way, as we wait in anticipation of Jesus’ return and his final reign, is that he is with us through our lives. “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus is present at all times to work in us and empower us and inspire us and even protect us. Jesus is with us.
I am so encouraged to know that as I live in obedience to the Lord and serve his purposes on this earth, that he is still in this work he started. This is Jesus’ work. This is Jesus’ mission. He started it during the incarnation and has handed it to us to continue. That the kingdom of God would be in our midst for ever generation until he comes.
And come, Lord Jesus, come!
Amen.
Marc Kinna
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