I Am With You Always to the End of the Age
The final words of the Great Commission are, “I am with you always to the end of the age.” These are not only the final words of the Great Commission, but the last words of Christ – at least according to Matthew.
At the time when Jesus spoke these words, He had already spent three years in ministry with his disciples, was crucified and had already risen from the dead. Although it wasn’t yet clear in the minds of the disciples, Jesus knew he would soon ascend to heaven (Acts 1:9). The Great Commission belongs to the last minute instructions that Christ gave to his followers before his departure.
With his imminent departure in mind, Christ made an incredible promise, “I myself will be with you.” Christ wasn’t saying that the disciples would merely carry the memories of Him and His words in their hearts. He emphatically claims the He himself will be with them – a promise that finds its fulfillment through the wonder of Pentecost. But this shouldn’t have come as a surprise to the disciples. Christ promised not to leave them as orphans (John 14:17). Repeatedly He had talked about the Holy Spirit as the Comforter who would live inside them and remind them of all things Christ had taught them (John 14-16). Christ made it clear that He was sending the His Spirit to reside in His followers when He would leave the earth. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ himself (Rom 8:9; Phil. 1:19).
Many years ago when our twins were young, we served at the European Theological Seminary, which was then located in Rudersberg, Germany. As a young father, I found myself making quick decisions to meet the needs of our kids. Perhaps it was a spontaneous lullaby to calm a crying child or a stern warning for a child who was about to hurt himself. On more than one occasion, I would ask myself the question, “Who just said that?!” In my mind, I knew that my parents lived over 5,000 miles away on a different continent. But I just heard my father’s words coming out of my mouth! In moments like these, I realize how much my father is still a very vital part of me.
So it is with the follower of Christ. As we commit ourselves to Him and His work, the Spirit makes the words of Christ come alive in us. We sense that Christ not just a vital part of our lives, but He is our life and ministry.
Finally, Jesus promised us to be with us until the consummation of the age. Jesus earlier stated that the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mt 24:14). The purpose of time and history will find its ultimate fulfillment when the task of the Great Commission has been finished.
Thomas Rosson, President, ETSM
Project Number 0610004
© 2009 Church of God World Missions
