"I Am With You Always"

For many years my father sang the song, "The Holy City, Jerusalem" during the Resurrection season, often on Easter morning. The music still rings in my mind as the story culminates in "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing for the night is o're! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna forevermore! As he grew older and weaker, the high notes became more difficult for Daddy. I often held my breath for him as the high notes approached in the song. I think the congregation was still blessed by his singing, even if he struggled.

The last words that Matthew shared from Jesus were the Great Commission, as follows:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age,"" (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV).

Jesus promises to be with us always "to the end of the age." After Jesus was resurrected He was with the disciples on earth until He ascended into heaven. Luke tells us that after Jesus ascended the disciples immediately left Bethany and returned to Jerusalem and to the temple where they praised God (Luke 24:50-53). 

To be honest, until I read the song lyrics as printed below, I hadn't thought about the last stanza which talks about the world we will experience when Jesus returns. Until then, the Holy Spirit is within us believers, giving us wisdom and understanding, guidance and counsel, strength and God's power. Yes, Jesus is with us always. He is here as we wait for His Second Coming and the new Jerusalem. Hosanna forevermore! Amen.

May you always know that Jesus is with you, whatever you face today or in your tomorrows.

Music by Stephen Adams;
words by Frederick E. Weatherly

Song Lyrics "The Holy City, Jerusalem"

Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang,
Methought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And then methought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang.
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was changed,
New earth there seemed to be.
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea.
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o'er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forevermore!