Be Sure of This

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 26, 2023

Be Sure of This

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

Good-byes are difficult. I don’t mean casual good-byes at the end of an evening together. I mean good-byes when we know we will be separated by time and distance, and especially when our being together again is not at all certain.  Jesus had thrilled his disciples with his post-resurrection appearance to them. He had commissioned them to carry on his work of making disciples and building for the Kingdom of God. Then he left them. Matthew does not record much of the details surrounding Jesus’ departure, other than remembering these beautiful words Jesus spoke, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I suspect some of the disciples, if not all of them gathered with Jesus that day, took Jesus’ words to mean that he would be with them through their memory of all the places they had gone with Jesus and all the teachings they received from Jesus. Ten days later they realized that Jesus meant exactly what he said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” On the Day of Pentecost, the promise of Jesus was fulfilled as he indwelled within them through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It is so very important for the followers of Christ to hold onto the promise that God is still working to bring about the complete reality of His New Creation. The way of the world today is not the way it will always be. Most certainly, Jesus is coming again in final victory at the end of this age, but we are not left alone just trying to stay busy until Christ returns. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

My Takeaway: Before this day is over, there is a very reasonable chance that your faith will be tested by some circumstance. At the moment of your testing remember, you are not alone! “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.