I Am With You

"I am with you." These are some of the most encouraging and comforting words anyone can hear. It's amazing what you can do when you have people in your corner that support you.

I love "The Great Commission." The Great Commission was Jesus's last command to the disciples. It can be found in both the Gospel Matthew and the Gospel Mark.

Matthew 28:18-20 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

These verses are not only essential to the Christian faith, but they're also the mission of the church.

There is a specific part of one verse that I want to focus on. In verse 20 the last thing that Jesus says is "I am with you". I think it is interesting that the words "I am with you" were some of his last words. I don't think it's an accident either. I think not only did he want his disciples to know that, but he wanted us to know too. Notice how after he says, "I am with you," he states he is with us to the end of the age. I love that. It's soothing, it's refreshing, and most of all it's freeing.

He isn't only with us on Sunday morning or Wednesday night—he is with us every second, everyday, every week, every month, every year, our lifetime, and for eternity. The fact that the God of the universe is with us in every thing we do, not just the normal mundane activities is revitalizing. If we let that fact sink in, it has the capacity to change our whole lives.

If Jesus could have only one conversation with us, I think he would tell us that not only he is for us, but that he is with us as well. I don't think he would tell us how mad he is at some stupid sin we committed—he would tell us how much he loves us. He wouldn't tell us how much of a failure we are because we didn't get enough likes on Facebook or Instagram. If Jesus had social media he would be double tapping your pictures on Instagram, liking your Facebook status's, and retweeting your tweets. He wouldn't be saying how ugly or inadequate we are.

Jesus loves us right now, just as we are. He is swimming in the deepest parts of our life. He is fixing what is broken. And he is restoring what has been abused. He is not screaming to work harder, try harder, or be more holy—but rather I think he is whispering "trust me, I will never leave you or forsake, I am with you."

Don't get me wrong—sin is bad. Really bad. Not only does it hurt us, but it hurts others. It also draws us away from the Lord. The Bible tells is over and over that sin is bad and that we are all going to do it (Romans 3:23). The thing about sin is that Jesus sees our sin more than anyone, yet he still loves us more than anyone. Our badness does not change God's goodness.

Paul tells us in Romans 5, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." Not only did that apply to the people of Rome, but it also applies with is today.

I believe whole-heartily that Jesus wants everyone to know that he is with us. Heck, I think he even wants us to let other people know that we are with them too.