Life has a way of beating us down. Sometimes it feels like we are living on a razor’s edge, and anything that goes wrong can cut us and knock us down. Jesus was always thinking about his disciples and the mission God had for them. He understood their fears and weaknesses. His singular goal was to prepare them to make an eternal impact on the world. To that end, he gave them some spectacularly encouraging words.
Seven Spectacularly Encouraging Words from Jesus
1. Follow Me
Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)
Jesus was speaking to some fishermen when he said this. He told them that he was going to take the skills and abilities they already possessed and he was going to leverage them for a greater work.
Jesus will take what you already have and he will use it to change the world.
2. My Yoke is Easy
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29-30).
The “yoke” was the rabbi’s curriculum – His basic approach to spiritual life.
Jesus accused the Pharisees of placing a burden on the people with their legalistic way to life with God (Matt. 23:4; this would have been considered the Pharisee’s yoke). In contrast, Jesus promised that his way to God was not a set of burdensome rules – but, rather was based on love and forgiveness.
Jesus will never use shame to beat submission out of you – he uses sacrificial love.
3. You Can Do It
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
Jesus did some pretty amazing things. He promised his disciples that because he was going to the Father, they would do amazing things as well.
Jesus will do amazing things with your life when you make yourself available to him.
4. I Will Give You the Right Words
When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:11-12).
Jesus knew that his followers would be marginalized, demonized, and ostracized. He told them not to worry about how they would respond. The Spirit would give them the right words just when they needed them.
The Holy Spirit will speak through you if you let go and let Him.
5. I’ve Got Your Back
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2).
Jesus did not want his disciples to have to worry about the eternal question. He wanted them to know without a doubt where they would end up when this life was over (1 John 5:13). This way they could focus completely on the mission he gave them.
You don’t have to worry about death – Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven.
6. You Will Have Power
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Jesus promised his disciples that they would have all the power they needed to accomplish their life mission. That power would come from God and it would propel them into the world in order to change the world forever!
Jesus gives you the spiritual strength to live a strong, confident life and make a lasting impact on the world.
7. I Will Never Leave You
… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Jesus promised to never leave his disciples alone. There was no place they could go that Jesus was not already there.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” – Psalm 139:7-8
No matter where life takes you, Jesus always goes before you and with you.
I pray these words from Jesus are an encouragement to you every day of your life!
