Jesus Will Meet You There

JESUS WILL MEET YOU THERE

Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ’He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you." (Matthew 28:7)

I regularly read “A Pastoral Letter” that I receive bi-monthly from Paul W. Powell of George W. Truett Theological Seminary. The May-June issue contains a sermon starter by Charles A. Tope, retired missionary from East Africa. I want to acknowledge my use of the excellent alliterative outline entitled “Jesus Will Meet You There” that was shared in that issue of “A Pastoral Letter”.

The ever-presence of the Lord in our life is a source of great comfort and strength. The promise that Jesus made to His disciples “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) has brought peace and assurance to many a troubled heart.

In the early years of my ministry, there was a song that was popular with gospel singing groups entitled: “Kneel at the Cross” written by Charles Moody. It is not commonly used in worship services today; nevertheless the words of this song have an important evangelistic message for the world today. The lyrics of the song are:

.

“Kneel at the cross; Christ will meet you there,

Come while He waits for you;

List to His voice, Leave with Him your care

And begin life anew.”

“Kneel at the cross; There is room for all,

Who would His glory share?

Bliss there awaits, Harm can ne’er befall

Those who are anchored there.”

CHORUS:

“Kneel at the cross,

Leave ev’ry care;

Kneel at the cross,

Jesus will meet you there.”

The promise “Jesus will meet you there” is that which was given to the women by the angel at the tomb of Jesus. John records the fulfillment of this promise. “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias… But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” (John 21:1a; 4).

I. JESUS WILL MEET US WHERE WE WORSHIP

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20 NKJV

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4-5 NKJV

The size of the congregation is not the qualifying condition. It may be as few as two or three; or thousands as was the case on the Day of Pentecost, when we gather in His name our Lord has assured us of His presence in our midst. (Acts 2:41)

II. JESUS WILL MEET US WHERE WE WORK

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. Mark 1:16-20 NKJV

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. Matthew 9:9 NKJV

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:20 NKJV

It is a source of solace to know that when we enter the door of our workplace, there is no power on earth that can keep our Lord outside.

III. JESUS WILL MEET US WHERE WE WEEP

1. At the place of failure:

Peter failed the test of loyalty in our Lord’s most trying hour. We read about it in Matthew 26:69-75.

Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth." But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:69-75)