Great Commission

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him, they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:16-20 The Message

The Great Commission

Verse 16: Now, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

Verse 17: And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Verse 18: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Verse 18 study: God gave Jesus authority over heaven and earth. With this authority, Jesus told his disciples to make more disciples as they preached, baptized, and taught. In this same authority, Jesus still commands us to let others know of the Good News and make them disciples for the kingdom.

Verse 19: 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,

Verse 20: teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Verse 19 study: Jesus’ words affirm the reality of the Trinity. People accused theologians of making up the concept of the Trinity and reading it into Scripture. On the contrary, in the Scripture, the concept comes directly from Jesus. He didn’t say to baptize them into the names; but into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The word Trinity does not occur in Scripture, but it well describes the three-in-one nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites a believer with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and resurrection to new life. Baptism symbol submissions to Christ, a willingness to live God’s way, and identification with God’s covenant people.

Verse 20 study: The question on many people’s minds is how is Jesus with us? Jesus was with the disciples physically until he ascended into heaven, and spiritually he never left. He was with the disciples through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ presence, and he would never leave them. Jesus is still with us today.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me.

-Acts 1:4 ESV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

-John 14:26 ESV

Genealogies and prophecies of the Old Testament in the book of Matthew showed Jesus’ qualifications for being King of the world, but not as a military or political leader, as the disciples had hoped, but more as a spiritual King. He overcomes all evil and rules in the heart of every person. Refusing to serve the King faithfully means we are disloyal subjects and are fit to be banished from the kingdom. Instead, we should make Jesus the King of our lives and worship him as our Savior, King, and Lord.

Verses 18-20 studies: The last words of someone leaving or dying is essential. Jesus left these last words of instruction to the disciples; they were under his authority; they were to make more disciples; they were to baptize and teach new disciples to obey Christ; Christ would always be with them.

In the previous missions, Jesus sent his disciples only to the Jews; their mission from now on would be worldwide. Jesus is Lord of the earth, and he died for people’s sins from ALL nations.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

-Matthew 10:5-6 ESV

It doesn’t matter where we go; neighbors’ houses, or cross country to make disciples. It’s not an option, but it is a command to all who call Jesus “Lord.” We are all not evangelists in a formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to help fulfill the Great Commission. As we obey, we have comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us.