God WILL help us to fulfill His ‘GREAT COMMISSION’!
October
16 Bible Reading: Matthew Chapters 25-28
God WILL help us to fulfill His ‘GREAT COMMISSION’
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that
I have commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matt 28:18-20)
In these
last verses of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was speaking of His authority as the
Head of the new creation. Since His death and resurrection, He had authority to
give eternal life to all whom God had given to Him (John 17:2). Since He had
completed the work of redemption for all humans required as per the law, He had
authority as the first-born from the dead: “that
in all things He may have the preeminence” (Col. 1:15, 18).
As the Head
of the new creation, Jesus issued the Great Commission, containing “standing orders” for all believers to
do before His return, which contains three ‘commands’:
- “Go therefore and make disciples of
all the nations”: By
preaching the gospel, the disciples were to see others become learners or
followers of the Savior—from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
Discipleship is intended to extend to an international audience, which includes
all people groups. The need is not just for truth to be taught but for transformation to take place in the life
of every disciple.
- “Baptize them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”: In believer’s baptism, Christians publicly identify
themselves with the Triune Godhead. They acknowledge that God is their Father,
that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, and that the Holy Spirit is the One
who indwells, empowers, and teaches them. The focus of the Trinitarian
baptismal confession is faith in Jesus, who deserves His rightful place along
with God the Father and God the Spirit.
- “Teach them to observe all things
that I have commanded you”: This Great Commission goes beyond evangelism – the baptized believers
must be taught to obey the commandments
of Christ found in the New Testament. The core curriculum for discipleship
is the life and teachings of Jesus.
Then Jesus added a promise of His abiding presence
with His disciples until the end of the age. He will be with us and will see us
through. He will never leave us alone, but will walk with us strengthening,
loving and filling us with faith, hope and love. The presence of the Savior
and the power of the Spirit (Acts
1:8) are God’s twin certainties that we are to lay hold of and continually keep
dear to our hearts as we serve our risen Lord until He comes. The promise of
the abiding presence of Jesus’ ministry throughout the present age lends
comforting assurance for such a daunting task as a worldwide mission.
Let us sense and practice His presence every moment of every day, as we faithfully obey His command. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:5-6). God will definitely help us fulfill His Great Commission!
