Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

What does this mean?

The risen Jesus is speaking to his disciples on a mountain, sending them out to teach every nation. He tells them to teach people to follow everything he has commanded, and then he adds the promise that makes the mission possible: he himself will be with them always, right to the very end. The promise belongs to the mission, it is the presence of Christ with his people as they carry out his work.

What does this teach us?

You are never sent out alone. Whatever Jesus asks of you, a hard conversation, a new step, a life of following him, his presence goes with you, and that presence is the reason you can go at all.

How can we apply this?

Before the next thing that scares you, the call, the meeting, the move, pause and remember that Christ is with you in it. Go ahead and do the thing, not because you feel ready, but because you are not going alone.

Related KJV passages

• “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

  Matthew 28:19

• “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

  Joshua 1:9

• “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

  Hebrews 13:5