Matthew 28:20: ”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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
John 14:16-17: ”And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.“
If Jesus ascended into Heaven (Luke 24:51), then how can he fulfill his promise to be with us?
“Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is constantly and fully present with us. We are blessed to know that not only is He with us, but He also lives in us and works through us. In times of trouble and in times of rejoicing, we can be fully confident that Jesus is with us, hears our prayers, answers our prayers, and is placing us exactly where He wants us to be for our own good and for His glory.” Jason Soroski, “What Did Jesus Mean When He said ‘I Will Be with You Always’?” – christianity.com
We often talk about God being everywhere (God’s omnipresence) but this promise is a very specifically different affirmation of the promises of His presence in the Old Testament.
While it remains absolutely true that God is everywhere all at once, the promise of Jesus is very personal to you and me as the Holy Spirit lives within those who have accepted and serve Jesus.
Jesus’ promised presence in us enables us to go and disciple others.
How has God’s presence been evident to you in your life?
PRAY: Spend some time in prayer meditating on Jesus’ Promise of Presence.
