Grow My Heart to Shrink My Tongue
Karl Benzio, MD
Matthew 28:20 concludes the Great Commission, where Jesus, after His resurrection, sends out His disciples to make disciples of all nations. In this verse, Jesus offers a profound assurance of His continuous presence, promising, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This declaration not only serves as a source of comfort and encouragement but also as a foundational promise that undergirds the mission of the disciples and, by extension, all believers.
Jesus' commitment to be with His followers always transcends mere physical presence; it signifies His ongoing guidance, support, and empowerment through the Holy Spirit. This promise is pivotal for understanding the nature of Christian discipleship and ministry, emphasizing that the task of spreading the Gospel is accompanied by the constant companionship and strength of Christ Himself.
This assurance from Jesus has significant implications for living out one's faith. It encourages a confidence in the face of challenges and uncertainties, knowing that Christ's presence is a constant reality that guides and sustains. It challenges believers to engage in their mission and daily lives with the knowledge that they are never alone, fostering a sense of purpose and courage. This verse is a call to embrace the commission given by Jesus with the assurance that His presence is an everlasting source of strength and encouragement, empowering believers to carry out His work until the end of the age.
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.