The Barefoot Evangelist

Read Matthew 28:16-20 with your family.

Sometimes people think Jesus only wanted grown-ups, pastors, or really important people to help share love in the world. But in this story, Jesus gathers his friends on a mountain and tells them something huge: “Go everywhere. Teach people how to love the way I taught you. Baptize them. Remind them that God is with them.” He doesn’t say, “Only the smartest people can help.” He doesn’t say, “Only adults.” He says this work belongs to all of us.

That means you can be part of it too. Every time you include someone sitting alone, help somebody who is hurting, stand up for someone being treated unfairly, or remind a friend that they matter, you are sharing Jesus with the world. Sometimes people think being Christian is mostly about rules, but Jesus talks much more about love, kindness, courage, forgiveness, and community. He wants people to know they are never forgotten by God.

The disciples were not perfect people. Sometimes they were brave, and sometimes they were scared. Sometimes they understood Jesus, and sometimes they were confused. But Jesus still trusted them with important work. That matters, because it means you do not have to be perfect before you can do good things. You can still help bring light, even while you are learning.

And then Jesus ends with one of the most comforting promises in the whole Bible: “I am with you always.” That means at school, at home, on hard days, on happy days, when you feel brave, and when you feel nervous, you are never alone. God’s love walks with you everywhere you go.

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