The Report of the Guards
11As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened.12A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.13They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’14If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”15So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
The Messiah’s Great Commission to His Disciples Matt 28:16-20; cp. Mark 16:14-18
16Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, jbaptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The disciples were right there and could see and touch Jesus, and some still had doubts. Doubt is a normal Christian experience. Perhaps a life-long experience. I don’t know yet! But we can’t be too hard on ourselves when we doubt. We can’t give up and we can’t lose our faith, but we must go on and grow through our doubts.
Jesus gives a command. We are to go and make disciples. It isn’t easy to talk about Jesus in today’s world, but it isn’t enough to just be a follower of Jesus either. We are called to bring others to the Lord. Most of the time, this means living a life that makes others want to know why we are different…but sometimes we are required to speak. Jesus is not to be kept in our prayer-closett. If we don’t share Jesus with others, we are hoarding for ourselves the greatest treasure we have. No, we are required to tell others about our Savior.
And Jesus will be with us always. I don’t think I have a clue what that really means! I am constantly discovering over and over what being with Jesus means. His desire to be one with us is beyond human comprehension. And what does “always” mean to a timeless God? I can’t comprehend forever either. Oh, what a wonderful future lies ahead of us because Jesus is alive within us!
Lord, change me so I live every moment being truly with You realizing You are with me and will be with me FOREVER! *obbs*
Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman said that “1000 questions doesn’t add up to a single doubt.” I think that speaks to the importance of being able to test one’s faith. Can we distinguish between questions and doubts?
I like the assertion that Jesus will be with us always. I, too, am still learning all of what that means.
I love that quote Robert. Thanks.