Always

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28.20b

Matthew writes originally for Jewish Christians. In the beginning of his gospel he introduces Jesus as Immanuel – “God with us”. He ends his writing with this further reminder that Jesus is always with us.

These promises are, gladly, not just for Jews but for all who believe in Jesus, the Christ. Hallelujah!

I can do all that I am called to do (go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them to obey all of His commands) in the sure knowledge that Jesus is with me. He will guide and direct me. By His Spirit, He will lead me into all truth. The Spirit will remind me of everything that Jesus said, all of His teachings may be revealed to me by the power of the Spirit.

As well as this, I see Jesus with me, and I sense His presence and power, to both strengthen me and comfort me. From my reading and reflection over recent times, I have even further conviction that Jesus knows – He truly knows every detail of what I experience. And He is ready – at all times – to lead me through.

I rejoice that He is there for me. I marvel that the Father chose to draw me to Jesus. I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit has been made real to me.

Jesus is with me always, and I am eternally grateful.

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your presence in my life. Thank You for reaching out to me in the joy and purpose of personal relationship. Thank You for caring. Thank You for loving me.

Lead me now into this day, and through the rest of my life. Speak to me as You need to. Direct me into His will. Enjoy me, please, as we journey together. In Your precious name I ask.              Amen.

Encounter

Suddenly Jesus met them, “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.                                                                                                           Matt. 28.9

This would have been a tumultuous experience for the women. They had gone, quite miserably no doubt, to the tomb of their martyred friend. And what an event awaited them there! Matthew talks of a violent earthquake. An angel appeared from heaven, rolled away the stone and declared that Jesus was not there because He had risen from the dead just as he said He would.

Then, as the women left, both afraid and joyful, they encountered the resurrected Christ. Matthew reminds us that this was all suddenly.

And often it is “suddenly” that we meet with Christ. Just like that of the women, our encounter is with the resurrected Christ. We meet the Christ who now reigns in glory, victorious over all things. This is our Saviour. This is the One we submit to as Lord. Whether our encounter is suddenly, or whether it grows through an extended period of time, my hope is that it is lasting. Sadly, I have seen many filled with joy at the almost instant release from bondages and past hurts only, in time, to relapse and move away from God.

Jesus promises eternal life. May we be encouraged to press on to it, and enjoy a lifetime’s fellowship with Him.

Gracious and Loving God,

It is by Your mercy that we come into relationship with You. I thank You that You have drawn me to You. I pray that You will draw me closer and lead me deeper.

I pray also for those who are not with You. I ask for “suddenlies” today in the lives of those who most need release from anxieties, fear, and doubt. They do not know You. They desperately need to know You but are unaware of this. I pray that You would reach out and draw them to You. Touch them with the love of the Father and the reality of the Son’s sacrifice. Draw them to You, in Jesus’ name I ask.                               Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Denial

“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”                                                                                                         Matt. 27. 63, 64

Even after killing Jesus off, the religious leaders are not at ease. They remember His promise to rise again after three days and they are nervously mindful to prevent what they see as a ruse to contrive the resurrection of Christ.

They were not successful! The guard was placed, and yet Christ arose. Hallelujah!

Human authority could not prevent the power of almighty God nor deny His precious love.

As it was with the scribes and Pharisees, so it may often be with us. We can kill off Jesus, but we can’t get rid of Him. Our rejection of Him does not eliminate Him. Nor does it deny God’s great power and love. Again, I say Hallelujah!

I am grateful that, though once in denial, I now fully embrace Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord. I give thanks for this, and I pray for those yet in denial.

Loving God,

I thank You that You loved me so much You did not let go. In Your kairos time You drew me back to You. Hallelujah!

I pray for those who isolate and estrange themselves from You. I pray for those who reject You and even deny You. I pray for a kairos time for each one of them.

Hear my cry for their salvation. Reach down from heaven, please, and draw them back to You. I rejoice over those who will choose to receive You today. I pray that You would bless their testimony to others.

Build Your kingdom, Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen.

Forsaken

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”                                                                                                                           Matt. 27.46

These words express the final, the ultimate and likely most devastating act in what I see as the dereliction of Christ. As He hangs on the cross, with body broken and the life fast flowing out from Him, He is faced with the last, and greatest, rejection – that of His loving heavenly Father.

Jesus, the Son, lived for the Father. John tells us how Jesus’ sole mission was to do the Father’s will: “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6.38) He did what the Father does: “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does”. (John 10.37) He was consistent in withdrawing to solitary places so as to communicate with His Father. (Luke 5.16; 6.12; Matt. 14.23; Mark 1.35; 6.46)

And now that same loving Father was rejecting Him. This, I believe, would have been the greatest humiliation and defeat for Jesus. He had experienced the harshest physical torture; He had been most cruelly betrayed by a friend and deserted by all the others He had known and loved; but the greatest hardship had now come – rejection by His own Father, His own kind.

And why? because He carried the sins of the whole world in His body – all past, present and future sin. He had chosen to offer Himself, in sacrifice, for all mankind, that none should perish, but every one come to repentance.

And the Righteous Father could not associate with Him in any way! His words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” are utterly and truly God-forsaken. And they are for me! He did this for me!!

Holy Jesus, Precious Lord,

I can only, humbly say ‘Thank You’. Thank You, my Saviour, for all that You have done for me. Thank You for the sacrifice, but thank You also for the teaching and leading. Guide me into this day, and all days, in Your precious name I ask.                                                                                                                                                      Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").