What Jesus Wants Every Believer to Know
As a former music and arts director, I’ve overseen many Easter productions. This was something I always enjoyed. Still, after months of preparation and rehearsal, I was ready for some much-needed rest when it was over, as was the entire choir, cast, musicians, and tech team.
This is why I find it personally significant to realize that following the very first Easter production—the one Jesus literally starred in, He never took a break. Instead, He immediately continued working. Certainly, he could have ended His ministry career on the victory of His resurrection, exited earth’s stage forever, and returned immediately to heaven. Yet, He didn’t do this at all.
Instead, He remained on the earth for an additional forty days, proving He was indeed alive, making time for a few much-needed conversations, teaching the Scriptures that pointed to Him (per His usual), and preparing His followers, then and now, for life in His absence.
By reading the Gospel accounts following the Resurrection leading to the Ascension, we can clearly glean what Jesus wants every believer to know. And because Scripture is timeless, these “things” remain relevant for followers of Jesus in every generation.
Peace is with Us
“Peace be with you” was Jesus’s consistent greeting to everyone He encountered following His Resurrection. This wasn’t a formality or kind gesture. Instead, it was something Jesus wanted His followers to know. Peace, specifically His perfect Peace, was with them and in them. This was the gift He had already promised His followers. And this gift was something Jesus desired His followers to embrace, extend and emulate as a way of life.
Don’t fear anything or anyone. “Peace be with you.”
Don’t be anxious about the cares of today or the unknown future. “Peace be with you.”
Don’t worry about the things you cannot control. “Peace be with You.”
Jesus said, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid (John 14:27 GNT).
“Peace be with you.”
The Promised Holy Spirit is in Us
One final time before Jesus ascended to heaven, He reminded His followers He would send the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). This was the Helper He had promised when He said,
“[T]he Father…will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. [He] will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you” (John 14:16-17, 26). And true to His promise, on the day of Pentecost, the beautiful, powerful Holy Spirit made His entrance in an upper room where the believers were gathered and filled everyone present (Acts 2:1-4).
And this very same Holy Spirit continues to encourage, teach, comfort and empower followers of Jesus today!
We’ve Been Commissioned
The Gospel writer, Matthew, recorded Jesus as saying, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). This is something Jesus clearly wanted all believers to know, not merely as a fact, but rather as a reality. Why? Because it is by His authority that all believers have been commissioned and empowered to make disciples, baptize believers, and teach new disciples.
This highly significant commission, better known as the Great Commission, is also included in the other three Gospels, as well as the book of Acts, and it is clearly something Jesus wants every believer to know, understand, embrace and live out.
“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15).
We Are Not Alone
I have chosen to end today’s post with the final words in Matthew’s Gospel, “[B]e sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
What more beautiful words could we possibly receive than these? We are not alone. God is with us, now and forever. He will never leave, abandon, or forget us. This is a certainty we need to remind ourselves of daily. The God of the Universe is with us, for us, and living through us.
Yes, the world is a hard place to be. And yes, we all continue to face trials and challenges as Jesus said we would. Yet, we are not now, nor will we ever be alone, as “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39 GNT).
So perhaps today, take some time to realize that God’s peace is with you, that His Spirit lives in you, that you’ve been commissioned to share the Gospel, and that you are never alone. These truths are what Jesus wants all believers, believers just like you and me, to know.
Pray
Dear Jesus, I am so grateful for your resurrection. Thank you for the victory I now have in and because of you. Thank you for blessing me with your peace, filling me with your Holy Spirit, and commissioning me to share the Gospel. And thank you Jesus, for your Presence that reminds me I am never alone. I love you forever, Amen.
Reflect
In what specific way(s) are you encouraged by Jesus’s promise to “be with you always”? (Matthew 28:20)
Encourage others with your response to this week’s question HERE!