Suddenly! Matthew 28:9

Several years ago something completely ordinary and yet totally unexpected happened to me. I was walking through the grocery store here in our little town when all of a sudden I turned a corner and saw … her! Christy! That’s right, my very own girl was right there in the cereal aisle. “Hey! It’s you!” I found myself super surprised and also immediately delighted. That smile, that laugh and that friend in an unintentional meeting was just what the doctor ordered.

A few days ago I finished the Gospel of Matthew again and the last chapter is filled with amazing moments where the Risen Jesus simply shows up and changes the whole scene. At one point an angel told some women that Jesus rose from the dead. They ran to tell the disciples when all of a sudden the One they longed to see just showed up. Matthew says, “Suddenly Jesus met them.” Wow. Okay, pause. Take a minute with that thought.

Do you ever need Jesus to suddenly meet you? Do you ever long for Him to show up and lend a hand, give you advice or make a change in a situation that’s going sideways? The very last line of this chapter (and the last line of Matthew’s Gospel) records a critical promise by Jesus: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So, we don’t even need Him to suddenly meet us. He’s already with you and me right now. So, instead, let’s reverse the verse. What if we decide to suddenly meet Him? Right now, today, drop what you’re doing. Take a minute. Turn your attention to the One who promises to be with you and suddenly meet with Him. I can promise you this - He can’t wait.