promises.

The promise  I’m stuck on today.

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

                                                                                    Matthew 28:18-20

[behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age].
one of the most vital and precious promises,,
coupled by this radical and life-consuming command.

the command that should be the heartbeat of every follower of Jesus,,
the command that’s impossible without the God man.

   

Jesus is about to leave the earth. He gathers the eleven remaining,, calling them to the mountain. the place that He had brought them often. the place that held so many memories. the place that i’m sure they cherished.  

He says His last earthly spoken words.
and He begins with something crucial,, He says,,

I have been given all authority.
authority- exousia;  liberty of doing as one pleases; physical and mental power; influence; right (privilege); the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed).

not only is He saying that He has all power and authority over them and man,, but also over everything that may come against them.

every word that follows is given in light of this truth,, in light of His authority and power and ruling. making what He says next,, an authoritative command,, not merely a suggestion.

and that is when He commands them [and us] to GO, and make disciples of all the nations,,
leave no one out, consider no place too far, reach everyone.

and not only make disciples of men,, but baptize them.
symbolizing the level of commitment He is talking about. not merely converts.. but as they are completely immersed in water,, they are completely committed to following and then going out and making more disciples.

and not only baptize them,, but teach them to obey everything that He has commanded.
   how did Jesus teach and disciple the twelve? not only with words,, but through power. He showed them,, He healed people in front of them. Cast out demons in front of them. Gave mercy and compassion in front of them. Forgave in front of them. He fleshed it out before them,, in love and in power.

and not only are we to teach them,, but we are responsible for teaching them the entirety of His will and counsel and commands. not leaving a single thing out,, whether its uncomfortable or palatable or not.

and so we’re given this command. this task. this privilege.

this command that’s impossible without the God man.

and that’s when He promises.

He says “BEHOLD…” [ this word,, idou,, is a bidding to the hearer or reader to attend to what is going to be said next. and get this,, it is used when a thing is specified which seems impossible and yet occurs,, when a thing is unexpected yet sure].

and so He is saying,, listen! focus! pay attention to this! you need to hear this! this is going to seem impossible,, and you’re not expecting this at all,, but this is sure, and this is going to happen.. I promise ..

[[I will be with you always,, even to the end of the age]].

  as we go,, as we obey,, as we lay down our lives and advance His Kingdom here on this earth,, He makes this amazing, unexpected, seemingly impossible promise,,

[[the promise of His constant presence.]]

and inside this promise,, are a bunch of other promises,,
because with His presence, comes His power, and His peace, and His provision.

[we are never lacking when we have His presence].

so if you really want to experience God and His power and His presence,,
go and make disciples.