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Always onMonday, April 5, 2010
Matthew 28:9-10 Mary embraced Jesus' feet. She had probably washed them many times. She had anointed them with expensive perfume. She wanted to really know that this was Jesus, and she knew his feet like the back of her hand. And besides, she didn't want him to get away again. But he told her to "go and tell." She obeyed. Fellowship with Jesus is the safest and most nurturing part of my life. He holds my head in his lap and smooths my hair with his hand. He rubs out the tension in my neck. And then he tells me to go ... When Jesus looks at me he sees the best I have to offer. He sees what God made me to be, and helps me to see myself the same way. And then he tells me to go ... Jesus knows me like I don't even know myself. He will never settle for shallow. And on the other hand, he won't let me take myself so seriously. His perspective (360 degrees) gives me confidence to break out of my blinders. And then ... he tells me to go. Surely this confidence of Jesus that I can be OK when I leave him is not misguided. I mean, this is Jesus after all. He knows what I can do. He knows if I'll be OK. He knows, and I don't. And his last words DO mean something: "I will always be with you." So I can choose either to be afraid or listen to Jesus. "Do not be afraid," he says. That's the way it is. Go. Just do it. And see what happens next. Keep my safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Apart from you I have no good thing. You have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. You are at my right hand; you counsel me night and day and make known to me the path of life. My heart is glad, my tongue rejoices, my body can rest secure. --- Psalm 16 |
This is the last chapter of Matthew. In the last verse of the last chapter of this first book of the New Testament Jesus extends his command to all his disciples. "Go and tell. Share and teach and make disciples around the world. Be bold. Become missionaries. And don't be afraid. I will always be with you."