The Presence of Christ with Us
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:17-20
At the conclusion of the Great Commission, Jesus reminded his disciples that he would be with them always.
When Betsy was baptized in March 2001, she received a counter cross stitch sampler from Dick and Jane Johnson with the following prayer:
“May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Be near you to defend you
Within you to refresh you
Before you to guide you
Behind you to justify you
And above you to bless you.
Amen.”
Dick served as interim pastor of the Schoolcraft congregation. Early in his career he had pastored Westlake Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek. This happened to be Dick’s go to benediction. I committed it to memory years ago and still share it once in a while and it is usually well received. I appreciate how it reminds us of Christ’s presence and action in our lives.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the people of faith who have touched our lives. They have been the hands and feet of Christ through word and deed. Empower us to share the message of your presence in our lives. Amen.
Nathan Martens