“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28: 20b).
Approximately two years ago a financial
institution loaned the Church money to purchase a vehicle. Until the Church repays
the loan, inclusive of interest, the vehicle technically belongs to the bank.
Knowing that there are various users of the road and other spaces and that
there is no certainty what may or may not happen that can damage a motor
vehicle the vehicle was insured comprehensively. Have you every parked your vehicle and when
you return there is a damage? Recently someone parked his car in the parking
lot of a company where he was attending a meeting. Well, someone went to cut
branches from trees and a branch damaged his vehicle. You never know what can happen.
Matthew concluded his account of the Gospel with Jesus’
final instructions to his disciples and the assurance of Comprehensive Coverage
for them as they carried out his instructions. Jesus’ marching orders to his
disciples and the assurance of Comprehensive Coverage came on the heels of his resurrection
which was a vindication of his person, words and work. Victory over the world,
flesh and the devil enabled Jesus to confidently commission his followers to
embark upon a mission to increase the followership.
There was lack of unanimity within the church. Some
followers of Jesus were convinced, convicted and comfortable with the account
of the resurrection of Jesus and all that meant. However, some doubted (Matt. 28:17).
What an intriguing response to the resurrection for persons, except Thomas, who
had seen the risen Jesus twice before! The
commissioning of the doubters warranted the assurance of Comprehensive Coverage.
Furthermore, the disciples were going into
friendly and hostile territories. There was no guarantee about what they would
encounter. Persecution, rejection, ridicule, days of plenty and days of famine,
warm embrace and violent rejection were all possibilities. Jesus assured them
that whatever came their way they had coverage.
Jesus was not indicating the possibility or
likelihood of him being with them. The affirmation is:” I am with you always”. Note it is not, I
will be with you, but I
am—ego eimi - with you. Just as God sent Moses, so Jesus sent his apostles,
by this name, I am; for God is God, to whom past, present,
and future are the same.
Jesus’ physical presence is about to go
but his spiritual
presence will be with them in the execution of this commission. This was to strengthen their faith.
There is
an enduring need to know that as we go in the name of Jesus we are not alone because
The LORD, the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent is providing comprehensive
coverage. Even if we make our beds in hell Jesus will be there! God never
slumbers or sleeps. God is always awake, aware and alert. We can all join with Crystal Lewis when she
wrote:
Lord, I believe in YouI'll always believe in YouThough I can't see You with my eyesDeep in my heart, Your presence I find
No comments:
Post a Comment