The Image to the right is a word cloud of the most popular words in Matthew. The bigger the word, the more often it is used. I thought it was a lovely way to conclude our time in Matthew!
Observation: I love the resurrection story! Love is bigger than death! Love is bigger than evil! God wins! Church scholars call the last few verses, the great commission. Where Jesus tells us what to do. He commissions us to send us out into the world! And What a commission it is! He gives us things to do, but ends with, “I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” That part us preachers often seem to leave out when we preach on those words. But today, those are the words I needed! Jesus won’t leave me, EVER!
Application: Its time for me to relax under the notion that Jesus is with me always. That I can do all the things I do, because Jesus is here. And that my life will be different because he will never leave me. Its time to live remember that Jesus will always be here!
Prayer: Jesus—I’m ready to go make disciples. Give me eyes for the hurting. Give me ears for those who need your love. May I be for you a witness into all the world with the knowledge that you are always here! Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
June 16-- Mark 1-Mark 3
June 17-- Mark 4-Mark 6
June 18-- Mark 7- Mark 9
June 19-- Mark 10- Mark 12
6 comments:
Jesus said to baptize in the name (one God) of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (three parts of one God). Helping us understand God to the very end. And He will be with us always!
Go out and make disciples... That means we have to be disciples in everything we do. I am constantly reminding myself that it's my outward actions and words that will teach those of the love of Jesus. Regardless of how I may be feeling, to always put myself out there in a way that would be pleasing in God's eyes. It's an every day reminder. I am grateful to KNOW that Jesus will be with me until the end of the world...ALWAYS.
Again today, Emily, I have to thank you for your insight. Along with some pastors I have also kind of missed Jesus' promise to be with me "to the very end of the age." Because when I read or even just think about the great commission I focus on the "go and make disciples of all nations" part. And I feel inadequate--I'm not a bold witness verbally, so I just have to pray that my life is a witness---and then how often I fail at that!! By giving in to the temptation to say something unkind about a coworker for example. At least He will always give me another chance.
Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
It was good to be reminded that Jesus never leaves us, we are the ones that move. Thanks be to God.
Emily said it already...God wins! The angel tells us that we should not seek the crucified and dead Jesus. Jesus is risen just as he said! Praise God! Lord, grant us the ability to find joy and trust even in the midst of our fear and uncertainty, because you told us you would be with us always.
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