Scripture
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Devotional Thought
We have recently celebrated Holy Week, remembering with deep sadness Jesus’ death and celebrating with great joy our RISEN Savior. We experienced a mixed bag of emotions during this week. Friday is a painful day because of Jesus’ cruel sufferings which lead to his death on the cross, but then comes the joy of that amazing Sunday morning! We remember this Holy event and ponder upon the day Jesus ascended to the Father in heaven leaving us with an unwavering promise “… Surely I am with you always”.
On that glorious day when the disciples went to meet with Jesus at the mountain in Galilee after his resurrection, he shared comforting words through His promise to be present and constant in their lives. “… Surely I am with you always”. People say that “promises are made to be broken”, however, these words do not exist in Jesus’ vocabulary. His promises are Yes and Amen! He is with us in the best of times and, praise God Almighty, He is with us in the most difficult of moments. He will never abandon us, nor forsaken us!
It might have seemed so to the two disciples who were on their journey to Jerusalem walking down the Emmaus Road. They were completely devastated after seeing Jesus crucified. The crushing blow that they would never see their Messiah again stricken them with deep sorrow and they were left disheartened. They were dismayed after this traumatic event, probably wondering if Jesus had abandoned them; had he forsaken them? Amidst our most distressing and challenging moments in life, we too might feel as if we are walking this road alone.
My friends, take heart for as Jesus walked alongside the disciples on that Emmaus road, he walks alongside us in our Emmaus Road. Deuteronomy 31:6 “…. for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Even when we cannot perceive Him, or recognize Him, Jesus is present, there in our midst. He is there in our mountaintops and in our valleys. There in the smile of your precious newborn; there in the splashing vibrant colors of the blooming trees; there in the vastness of the stars in the sky; there in the intimacy of our silent prayers and yes, there when the unexpected happens! There in the hands of the volunteer who hands you a bag of food; there in the friends that visit your loved ones when you can’t be there; there in the embrace of a dear one when death knocks at your door; there in the voice of he who speaks in your defense; there in the stranger that lends a hand when stranded in the highway; there in the hearts of the medical staff when illness wreaks havoc; there in the lives of first-responders who rescue us from danger, there when a neighbor lends a hand when no one else is around, and there in the events we call coincidences and a lucky happenstance. May we pray to have eyes to see Him!
It is reassuring and comforting to know that no matter the challenges we face, we can count on Jesus to be there for us! Surely, He is with you always! That is His promise and we take Him at His Word! Please listen to this song from Dolly Parton and Zach Williams entitled, There was Jesus. Friends, when we proclaim Jesus as our Risen Savior, we do not do life alone.
Lyrics to a stanza:
On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus)
In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)
Always is and always was
No‚ I never walk alone (Never walk alone)
written by Majors Eduardo and Janet Zuniga, Personnel Section and Officers’ Services and Records Department, USA East
