[Teach] them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20
My elderly great aunt lay on her sickbed with a smile on her face. Her gray hair was pushed back from her face and wrinkles covered her cheeks. She didn’t speak much, but I still recall the few words she said when my father, mother, and I visited her. She whispered, “I don’t get lonely. Jesus is here with me.”
As a single woman at the time, I marveled at my aunt’s proclamation. Her husband had died several years earlier, and her children lived far away. Nearing her ninetieth year of life, she was alone, in her bed, barely able to move. Yet she was able to say she wasn’t lonely.
My aunt took Jesus’ words to the disciples literally, as we all should: “Surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). She knew that Christ’s Spirit was with her, as He promised when He instructed the disciples to go out into the world and share His message with others (v. 19). Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “be with” the disciples and us (John 14:16–17).
I’m certain my aunt experienced the reality of that promise. The Spirit was within her as she lay on her bed. And the Spirit used her to share His truth with me—a young niece who needed to hear those words and take them to heart.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.d
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.e
19 Thereforegoandmakedisciplesofallnations,f
baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,g
20 andteachinghthemtoobeyeverythingIhavecommandedyou.
AndsurelyIamwithyouialways, totheveryendoftheage.”j
INSIGHT
- How are you encouraged by the reality that Jesus is with you today?
- How have you experienced the comfort of the Holy Spirit?
In Jewish Wisdom Literature, wisdom is personified as a teacher, the true teacher of all who find wisdom (Proverbs 1:20–33; 8:1–20). Matthew’s gospel draws on that tradition to explain who Jesus is. He’s not only a great rabbi or teacher but the Teacher—Wisdom itself (see 1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:2–3). Through Jesus—Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23)—the wisdom of God is now accessible to all who are His disciples. Through His resurrection, Christ forever establishes His identity and authority as God’s ultimate revelation. The gospel of Matthew closes (28:20) the way it begins (1:23), with a reminder that it’s through Jesus that we experience God’s presence and wisdom. In turn, disciples of Christ are empowered and called to draw others to be His disciples and experience His transforming presence.
PRAYER
Thank You, Jesus, for sending Your Spirit as my comfort and companion. Remind me of Your presence throughout this day. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 28-29; John 17
