In Matthew 28, Jesus promises to be with his disciples to the very end of the age. After the great conviction that all authority on heaven and earth has been given to him and the great commission to go out and make disciples of all nations, Jesus finally makes a great commitment never to be apart from his people. “And surely I am with you always to the very of the age,” was Jesus’ (non-)parting promise.

Because of this, we (like Asaph in Psalm 73) can confidently say “I am always with you” to our Lord, not primarily because of our faithfulness to him, but because of his to us. We are with him because he holds us by the hand.

This, I take it, is Christian faith: being carried by our King rather than clinging to him. Clinging has its place, but it’s the cling a baby will have to its mother when wrapped in her embrace.  The strength of faith always comes from him. 

In what ways, though, is Jesus with us? Well, by his Spirit-breathed word. In the Scriptures, we hear him speak.  Through his teaching, we are guided; through his promises, our faith is fed. His Spirit lights the path of faith, a course that conforms us more and more into His glorious image and leads us ever long into his glorious kingdom.