In the dark night into the gnarled olive trees of the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus went with his disciples. Judas was getting ready to bring the Sanhedrin and the soldiers into the Garden. In his last moments Jesus spoke to his followers.
John 16:32 “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
This is inseparable from Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
In verse 30 of John 16 the disciples spoke words of faith and assurance to their Master. “Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.”
It’s easy to be “we” when we’re with each other; it’s easy to be strong. It’s different when we’re alone. Think about the phrase “and yet I am not alone.” Then look at the end of verse 20 in Matthew 28. “I am with you alway.” The words spoke in John were at a time of intense suffering. The next day Jesus would die on the cross. In Matthew, it was 40 days after the resurrection. Jesus was getting ready to ascend back to heaven.
In verse 32 Jesus said “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,” but don’t worry about me. “I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” He told the disciples this because they too would be “scattered, every man to his own.”
They declared to Jesus that “now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.” He responded with “do ye now believe?” He told them the time would come when they would need this faith. When Jesus was alone, the Father was with him. He told them “these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
They would shortly be scattered and thus, greatly afraid. In our own Gardens of Gethsemane we can have assurance that we are not alone. It’s not as important that we see Jesus as it is that he sees us. “I am with you alway.” There is no greater assurance.
We can’t be together always. There are times when no friends or family are around. We can feel very alone in a crowd. Jesus said he was not alone and we won’t be alone. In Matthew Jesus said “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” That’s how he could make a statement like this. We don’t have the power to be with each other all the time. Jesus does. We have an unseen friend near us wherever we go. He’s never helpless. He’s never frustrated or weary. He feels what we feel, our hurts, tears, and pain. He purposely made these his last words because he had been there himself. “I am with you alway.” The devil jumped Jesus in the Garden. The devil followed the disciples when they scattered. Jesus said remember: “I will be with you.” God sent an angel to comfort Jesus. He will take care of us.
His last words on this earth started with “lo.” He was saying “look. I am with you alway.” Or, as in our terminology, “I am with you alway… see? It will always be me and you, you and me, even unto the end of the world.” The word always means at all times. Alway has a two-fold meaning. The first is “in every way.” The second is “at all times.” Jesus was saying I am with you in every way at all times. He looked beyond and out of time and saw us, here at this age’s very end. He’ll be with us as well, even unto the end of the world. It’s our promise too.
Look. Can’t you see? Psalm 46:1 says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He’s a very present help. Don’t focus on the trouble as much as the real presence of God. This is more than a promise; it’s a reality. Our prayer should be “Lord, teach me to hear your voice. Help me to feel your touch. Help me see how here you are and how permanent it is.”
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 