What do most parents say to a young child who is fearful and in need of comfort? "I am here." This simple phrase is meant to remind a child of a fundamental truth: They are not alone. Whatever they are fearful of, their parents are right by their side, helping them, providing for them, and protecting them. Because they are not alone, they do not have to be afraid. In the same way, we as adults need comfort when we are fearful. God the Father steps into our fears and says, "I am here." As a result, we do not have to be afraid.
“I am with you” are some of the last words Jesus told His people before He returned to Heaven in Matthew 28. He had previously been crucified, died, and risen from the grave. In Matthew 28, He was spending some last moments with His disciples. First, He gave them a command to go and make more disciples and spread His message of hope throughout the world. Next, He gave them words that I am certain they carried with them forever. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (verse 20). Whatever they faced, good or bad, times of joy or times of sorrow, Jesus promised to be with them. That promise must have brought so much comfort, especially after Jesus returned to Heaven. They all faced many hardships because of their faith in Jesus and were persecuted for their faith, and I am sure that His presence carried them through everything.
My friend, Jesus' promise in Matthew 28 is true for us today as well. God is always with us. We have the promise of His presence. God is with us through everything we face, even the most challenging situations we have to walk through. We may not have all of the answers for why, but we have His presence, and His presence is our greatest comfort and peace. Wherever you go today, whatever you do, and whatever hard times come your way, God is with you. Because He is with you, you can face anything. Trade in your fears for the promise of His presence today.
We have been thinking all week about something we are fearful of. We have named our fears and brought them before God. Today, in light of His constant presence, our challenge is to take a step in the direction of leaving fear behind. Sign up to serve if you have been fearful of serving, reach out to a friend who does not know Christ to come to church with you this weekend, and take a step of obedience even if you are scared. Whatever leaving fear behind looks like for you, take a step in that direction and commit to leaving fear behind and trusting God, who is always with you.
1Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
