"then Jesus came to them and said, '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.'"
matthew 28:18-20
today is good friday. it may seem like the timing is a bit off for this passage - a passage recorded by matthew after Jesus' resurrection but before the ascension. this 40-day journey through david nasser's 'a call to die' is not lent-specific. but i have found it an excellent reflection with lent in mind - with good friday and easter approaching. every day we should be reminded of the cross, but also of the resurrection and then this great commission. with the cross in mind (an awareness of our sin and need for a Savior), we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter (in acceptance of forgiveness and grace), but we can't stop there. if we the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus does not move us into action, then what is the point?
this great commission is so familiar, yet we often forget it. we either linger at the cross and feel unworthy, or we just keep celebrating easter. the great commission is a command that Jesus gave to his eleven disciples but that continues with you and i. in fact, nasser points out that the original text actually reads "as you are going" rather than "therefore go". Jesus assumes that we will go out, in response to the incredible gift of grace He gave us.
we are not just commanded, but we are invited to join in Christ's mission. it is not just a responsibility, but a privilege! we are not much different than the disciples - just as they failed to understand Jesus over and over again, so do we. they made excuses, so do we. they had doubts, so do we. in fact, read the verses before the great commission. matthew reveals something interesting. the eleven disciples proceed to galilee to the mountain Jesus designated. when they saw Him, they worshiped Him. "but some were doubtful" (matthew 28:17b). they had just witnessed an incredible miracle - a death and resurrection of their friend and leader, Jesus. yet they continued to have doubts? so do we. yet just as Jesus commissioned the eleven to share in his heart and his mission, God continues to commission us.
make disciples - this is our great task we are called to. not church-goers. not members of youth group. make DISCIPLES - people who obey and follow Jesus Christ. it seems like a daunting task. so how do we do it? we make disciples by being disciples. we have to be willing and available to be used by God. as we mentioned yesterday, we are not expected to produce the result. we are expected to obey and God will do the rest, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
don't forget the end of the commission - "and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus ascends into heaven but we are given the Holy Spirit. when we encounter difficulties we need to remember that He is still with us and we can go on.
Lord, move me beyond the cross and resurrection into action. continue to grow in me and build me into a disciple so that i can go out and make disciples. when it is hard and scary, remind me that you are with me always through the gift of the Holy Spirit. thank you for using even me, a sinner, to share in your mission.
No comments:
Post a Comment