October 7

Always First in Fellowship

But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’” — Mark 16:7 BSB

Where Jesus appointed to meet His disciples, there He would be at the appointed time. Jesus keeps His word. If He promises to meet us at the mercy seat, in public worship, or in the ordinances, we can count on His presence. We may sinfully choose not to show up at the appointed place, but He never does. He says, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am”; He doesn’t say, “I will be there,” but, “I am there already.”

Jesus is always first in fellowship: “He goes before you.” His heart is with His people, and His delight is in them. He is never slow to meet them. In every gathering, He is the one who goes before us.

But He reveals Himself to those who follow after Him: “There you will see Him.” What a joyful sight! We may not care to see the greatest of men, but to see Jesus fills us with joy and peace. And we will see Him, for He promises Himself to us. Be assured that this will happen, for He always fulfills His promises: “As He said to you.” Hold onto those last words, and rest assured that He will do for you just as He said.