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Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” |
What a bewildering time for the disciples. Their Master had been crucified leaving them bereft and confused. Then He had been raised and met with them. Miracle of miracles!
Those 40 days that He spent with them after His resurrection must have felt unreal. There was so much that they still didn’t understand.
What had seemed like the end was now a new beginning. Jesus was alive and in His own words had received “all authority in heaven and on earth”. His mission to the whole world was to begin. His earthly ministry had been directed at God’s chosen people, the Israelites. Now He gives His disciples the task of taking His message to the world.
In obedience to the Father He had gone to the cross, where He took upon Himself the just punishment for the sins of the world, opening up reconciliation between God and man. Now the world had to know about it. His instructions were clear.
“Go and make disciples of all nations”
Their commission was not just evangelism. That was step one but they were to “make disciples”.
Those who responded to the gospel message were to begin a life of discipleship through baptism and obedience to Jesus’ teaching in order to be transformed into the image of Jesus, only possible through a personal relationship with Himself.
No small task so He tells them that He will be with them always.
We are disciples because of their obedience and it is as much our task as it was theirs to take the Gospel to the world.
Agnes G