What will the future look like?
That question is on everyone’s mind. Will my students be in school? Will my church reopen? And, maybe most importantly, will there be college football?
As a nation, we are uncertain. Anxiety is growing.
Growing Uncertainty
A Gallup poll this week shared the impact this season has had on churches. One in three practicing Christians have not been attending church online during this crisis. Even more, they don’t feel bad about it. Pastors are uncertain about what the future holds.
I polled the college students in our GroupMe and 86% of them have doubts about school opening up in person. They are wrestling with what this uncertainty means for their education.
On top of all that, there is an election coming up in November that (supposedly) determines the fate of our nation! Talk about pressure.
There is a lot to process. The uncertainty is leading to record levels of anxiety and angst among Americans.
Hitting Close to Home
Personally, I’ve felt it. My wife and I have been wrestling through our own worries. With a wife who is 36 weeks pregnant and a daughter who is supposed to start kindergarten in a little over a month, we have been feeling the pressures of making plans more and more. On top of that, I tested positive for Covid-19 before Father’s Day and had to quarantine for 2 weeks. Thankfully my symptoms were mild and I am okay. It’s tested us.
How are you holding up?
Are you processing through all this well? Or are you feeling more uneasy?
Let’s be honest. It would be nice to find some relief.
You aren’t alone. The disciples knew what it meant to worry about the future. In the midst of that, Jesus helped point them to some answers for their uncertainty.
Jesus’ Answers to Uncertainty
There is a verse just before the Great Commission that has always puzzled me. Leading up the Jesus’ command to make disciples Matthew tells us:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
Matthew 28:16-17
“Some doubted”?
They were hanging out with the risen Savior. What was there to doubt?
A good case can be made that they were doubting themselves. They knew their responsibility to reach the lost. Jesus had already modeled that ministry to them for 3 years, and they participated with Him. They questioned their abilities. They weren’t sure if they could fulfill this vision.
In other words, they were uncertain. They were anxious.
Jesus responds with the greatest commissioning speech of all time. He reminds them of the mission…to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all He had commanded.
That was familiar to them. Doing it without Jesus with them was new.
In the midst of this uncertainty, Jesus answers with 2 incredibly certain promises. He says, “ALL AUTHORITY has been given to Him.” And He is with them “ALWAYS.“
Answer #1 — ALL AUTHORITY:
Why could the disciples be confident? Jesus was in charge. One of the first reports of Jesus’ ministry was people commenting on how He taught with authority. He had authority over demons, disease, and disaster. He passed this authority off to His disciples to do ministry.
The world is not coming to an end because of a virus or because of an election. Jesus is still in charge today. In our fear and anxiety, we must remind ourselves of the one who remains in total control and the one who commands us to make disciples.
The commission is not complete. That means Jesus’ authority still compels us to make disciples.
Answer #2 – WITH YOU ALWAYS
The second answer to anxiety in uncertain times is to remember Jesus’ presence in our lives. The disciples thought they were going to be completely on their own and it worried them. Jesus promised them that wouldn’t be the case.
I’m convinced our anxiety grows when we lose track of Jesus’ presence. One of the most famous passages in the Bible on anxiety reminds of this:
Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
Why Paul? What allows me to rejoice?
“The Lord is near.” Christ’s presence is the answer to anxiety. Christ’s presence can bring peace in even the toughest circumstances.
Christ’s presence is the answer to anxiety. Christ’s presence can bring peace in even the toughest circumstances. Click To TweetHe goes on…“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Followers of Jesus need not worry. His authority and His presence last until the end of the age.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE:
I’m committed to Jesus’ command to make disciples. Though physically separate, I can still pass on what Jesus is teaching me to others. Just yesterday I sent a quote from a book to a friend to encourage his growth. Who can you meet up with to study the Scriptures with?
You might not be able to meet up with many people right now. That shouldn’t stop you from discipling your family. Would you consider reading the Bible together with your spouse or kids? Use this season to build into them.
The Great Commission still stands. Don’t allow uncertainty to paralyze you. Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY and is ALWAYS WITH you. Remember those promises as you make disciples.
Reflect:
- Rate your trust level in Jesus’ authority from 1-10. Is your attitude towards the current situation formed more by the news, social media, and the latest politics or by Jesus’ promises?
- How well are you leaning into Jesus’ presence as you look around the world today? Are you spending regular time with Him?
- What can you do this week to make a disciple?
