The words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” carry profound meaning and significance for all believers. This statement comes at the end of Matthew’s gospel after Jesus’ resurrection and just before His ascension back into heaven.
By asserting “I am with you always,” Jesus is promising His continuous presence and fellowship with His followers until His return. This brings great comfort, assurance, and encouragement that He will never leave or forsake His people even though He would no longer be with them physically on earth. Let’s explore the significance of this powerful promise more deeply.
Jesus’ Constant Presence
Firstly, Jesus asserts that He will be constantly present with His followers “always.” This means His presence will be uninterrupted regardless of circumstance or situation. Not even death can separate believers from His presence. What confidence this brings to know the risen Lord is perpetually with us whether in danger or joy, difficulty or ease! The creator of the universe has promised to be with us at all times.
Jesus does not say He will be with us some of the time or most days. No, His promise is for constant companionship. We can trust that He is with us in the mundane moments of life as much as in the significant ones. There is never a time when He is not right there by our side. What comfort! We are truly never alone.
His Presence is Personal
Secondly, Jesus says “I am with you.” His promised presence is personal, not merely spiritual. He promises fellowship with us as individuals, not just omnipresence in a vague sense. He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). It is Him – the incarnate Jesus who dwelt among man and defeated death forevermore – who indwells us by His Spirit now.
Because His presence is personal, we can commune with Him. We can pour out our hearts to Him in prayer. We can cast our cares upon Him. We can cry out for help. We can worship and adore Him. We can love and be loved by Him. What a relationship is available to us through the perpetual presence of Christ!
His Presence is Universal
Thirdly, Jesus’ promised presence is universal in scope. The “you” Jesus refers to is plural indicating He is speaking to all His disciples throughout all generations. His presence is not limited just to the original eleven apostles or early believers. Even new converts today can claim this promise. Jesus is just as present with all those who follow Him now as He was then.
There is no believer left out of this promise. All Christians in all places through all time can trust that Jesus is personally present with them always without interruption. What amazing grace that He continually abides with the global body of faith until His return! No one who believes in Him will ever be deserted.
His Presence is Authoritative
Fourthly, the authority and power of Jesus back up His promise. Because He possesses all authority and rules over everything, Jesus has the supreme capability to uphold His words concerning His continual presence (Matthew 28:18). Jesus was not merely suggesting He would try to be with them. It was a declaration that He would in fact be with them.
If Jesus has all authority, and He promised to be always present with His followers, then we can know without doubt that His presence is a reality. Nothing in heaven or on earth can prevent Christ from being with His people. What confidence we can have in such an authoritative promise!
His Presence is until the End
Fifthly, this promise of Jesus’ presence has a set duration. He asserts “I am with you always even to the end of the age.” He promises to be with us until “the end” which refers to His second coming. As long as this current age and world system continues, Jesus will perpetually indwell His people.
The New Testament speaks frequently of the end times or last days of human history culminating in Christ’s return (1 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 1:2, 1 Peter 1:20, 1 John 2:18). This present era will one day come to an end when the Lord Jesus comes back to judge the world, restore all things, and establish His eternal kingdom. Jesus promises that up until that climactic point, He will be with us! What assurance we have that He will be with us until the consummation of all things!
Application of Christ’s Presence
This perpetual, personal presence of Jesus Christ with all believers is meant to be experienced and applied. Merely knowing this intellectually is not enough. So how do we live in light of this incredible promise?
Firstly, we must surrender fully to His lordship keeping His commands and walking in faith and obedience. Scripture is clear that those who love Christ will obey Him and experience His manifest presence (John 14:21).
Secondly, we abide in unbroken fellowship with Him through prayer, worship, meditation on His word, and listening to His voice. These spiritual disciplines open our hearts to encounter His presence in a real way.
Thirdly, we can have boldness in the tasks He calls us to knowing He is always with us empowering and equipping us to accomplish His will (Matthew 28:19-20). Even in the face of opposition, we can move forward in courage.
Fourthly, we can rest in His sufficient grace knowing He will never leave us. This brings freedom from anxiety, fear, and despair because of the inner peace His presence provides.
Lastly, we can have confidence that He will complete the work He began in our lives (Philippians 1:6). His constant indwelling guarantees He will finish what He started!
What amazing assurance, help, and hope we have through the perpetual presence of our Lord Jesus! May we live each moment in light of this glorious truth that He is Immanuel, God with us, even to the end of the age!