“… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Presence of Jesus Christ promised forever—what a promise! It was the same promise that Moses received as God inaugurated a new dispensation of Law. It began with the exodus from Egypt, as the Lord said to Moses, “Certainly, I will be with you…” Ex (3:12). Likewise, the angel pronounced at the Messiah’s birth, “…they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, ‘God with us.’ ” (Matt 1:23). So also the presence of God is promised to the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ! We have nothing to fear, all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him, and is therefore at our disposal.
The message of the book of Matthew is that the Messiah has come and is now present. This message was presented first to the Jews, but now, because of their rejection of Him, the message is coming directly to Gentiles.
Yet, God has not given up on His chosen people. We see on the day of Pentecost, through the message of Peter, God speaking to the “men of Judah and all who live in Jerusalem” (Acts 2:14), to the people of Israel (Acts 2:22). The message was this, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). Peter preached to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:38-39).
Despite some positive response, Israel as a nation unfortunately and tragically continued to reject their Messiah. But, God has not given up. At the end of Paul’s ministry he continued, “… preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31). Though he was called to reach the Gentiles, Paul’s love for the Jewish people reflected the love of God. He wrote, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen” (Rom 9:3-5).
The Gospel according to Matthew continues to proclaim: Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the King of Israel. He is risen from the dead, and the message continues to go out into all the world. And the number of disciples continues to increase!
Amen!
Cbuck –
I have greatly enjoyed our “moments with the Messiah”!
Thank you for laboring in providing this devotional material. I look forward to the epistle devotionals!
Thank you again!
Peace,
phill belcher