Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

Matthew 28:16-20

It might be tempting to limit Jesus in his power and his presence in our lives. After all, he told the disciples “where I am going you cannot follow” but in that case he was referring to his death and said “but you will follow later” (John 13:36).

No, the Word of God who was present at Creation and came to us in the form of a Man (John 1) is not limited by things like life, death, time and distance. When he ascended out of the physical sight of the apostles into heaven, he left them in body but in the same moment promised his presence.

This was not merely a word of comfort, it was encouragement toward diligence. There was work to do, and Jesus intended to be with them and see it through.

Ethan Kirl