Lockdown Day 4: A STANDING SON

Matthew 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Not only did Emmanuel God come to earth to exist within a certain time-frame, but He also promised His disciples the gift of eternal presence. Could a promise of this nature be kept?

Picture this: Stephen, a young disciple, boldly and fearlessly witnesses to the members of the Sanhedrin about the Kingdom of God (Acts 7:54-60). The reaction turns violent as the members of the Council become furious. In anger they seize him, drag him outside the city and then, under the supervision and approval of a young man called Saul, they stone him to death.

Where was God in all of this? What about his promise? Did the presence of God fail Stephen in his hour of need? On the contrary. We find in this story one of the most beautiful descriptions of an ever-present Christ in the Bible. Listen to this: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God’s glory and Jesus standing at the right side of God.” What a glorious comfort! This is the only place in Scripture where we read of Jesus standing at the right side of God. Throughout Scripture, there are multiple mentions of Jesus seated on the right hand of God, but on this occasion, Jesus was standing up to welcome His faithful servant into eternity. He was neither absent nor ignorant. He was true to His promise – He was there and Stephen knew this.

You have the same promise of a standing Son, aware of your unique situation, your loneliness, fears, concerns and isolation. Remember (Romans 8: 35-39) “neither death nor life, (corona or isolation) neither angels nor demons (fear or anguish), neither the present nor the future (certainty or uncertainty)… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Look to heaven and behold A STANDING SON.

From the book: Dancing with Camels