Jesus Walks With Us

By Jeff Arnette       The promise that Jesus will walk with us is found throughout the Bible. One of the most well-known passages is found in Matthew 28:20, where Jesus says to his disciples, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This promise comes at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus has been resurrected from the dead and has given his disciples the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations.     Another well-known passage that speaks to Jesus’ presence with us is found in Psalm 23. In this psalm, the writer speaks of the Lord as a shepherd who guides and protects his sheep. The psalmist writes, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”     Throughout the New Testament, we see examples of Jesus’ presence with his followers.     He walked with his disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). In fact, in Luke 24:15 it says, “While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” (ESV) Jesus is always near to those who are searching and wanting to draw closer to him.     He appeared to them in the upper room after his resurrection (John 20:19-23). Here we see Jesus appearing in the midst of the disciples. After showing them visible proof that it is indeed him via his hands and side, he gives them the Holy Spirit and sends them out on a mission. Jesus was there with them and reassured them that he would be with them as they went.     He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with them (John 14:16-18). The promise of the Holy Spirit here is a personal promise that Jesus will not leave us as orphans but will come to us, he will be within us as we go about this life, we call Christianity. With the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us we are never alone.     Overall, the message of Jesus’ presence with us is a consistent theme in the Bible. As followers of Jesus, we can take comfort in the knowledge that he is always with us, guiding us, protecting us, and giving us the strength to face whatever challenges come our way.   1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (ESV)

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/