Learning That The Great Commission Is Not Just A Suggestion

In review of Matthew 28:18-20 it says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Bottom Line:

Jesus has the authority and commanded us to make disciples, baptize them, teach them all he has commanded us. He said will be with as we do this.

What this means to me:

Jesus has the authority and has commissioned me to make disciples of all nations / people groups, to baptize them, and to teach them everything he has commanded me. He promises to be there with me as I do this.

What I know so far is that the world (everyone) needs Jesus.

Jesus said this very clearly over and over, but in Matthew 28:18-20 he gives me the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (NIV).

What is my assignment? As I “go”, (living out my daily life), I am to do this. “Go” is this expression is an action word and not just a suggestion, meaning that it’s not optional. I am a child of God, and he expects me to go and share who he is all about with others.

What’s the task? Go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who does the five things we were put on Earth to do: 1). to know and love God, 2). to grow into spiritual maturity, 3). to serve God with my shape through ministry, 4). to share the Good News, and 5). to worship God with all my heart.

What’s my authority? It’s not some government or the CIA. It’s Jesus.

What is my responsibility? Make disciples all nations. There is no nation or people-group that is off-limits.

What does it mean for me? If the whole world needs Jesus, then I must share the Good News. To keep it a secret would be criminal. If I knew the cure for Alzheimer’s or AIDS or cancer and I didn’t share it, that would be criminal. But I have something even better than a cure for disease. I know the cure for the human heart and the deepest needs of mankind. They need a Savior. They need forgiveness. They need their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. I should not hold it back. I need to share it.

John 3:17 says, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

For me to be like Jesus, I need to stop judging the world and being so critical. I just need to get busy sharing the Good News.

In summary, Jesus has the authority and has commissioned me to make disciples of all nations / people groups, baptize them, and to teach them everything he has commanded us. He promises to be there with me as I do this. So today, I see God that you have chosen to accomplish your will through me, making me part of what you are doing. I thank you for giving me such a privilege. In my own life, For some reason sharing my faith with non-believers is not something I do on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, I don’t usually reach out and initiate relationships of any kind. I think I combat a feeling that someone will think I’m strange or not care for me.  But my reality is that I have been personally saved by Jesus for my waywardness and sin. God has done so much to save myself and others. He does not want anyone to perish. While God could do some spectacular things to draw people's attention to him, he chooses not to. Instead he want so use me and my life as an example to others. I should probably remind myself that my neighbors, co-workers and casual acquaintances may feel perturbed if they knew I had the secret to eternal life, but chose not to share it with them. I should also remember and keep in mind that Jesus has promised to be with me as I share. Given this, I should learn to never be scared to share the Good News with others. I can also use the money he provides me to help fund those who are on mission around the country to share the Gospel.