Matthew 28:16-20 – 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.” (ESV)
Hello friends and fellow Jesus followers. In Matthew’s gospel the Eleven have returned to Galilee as Jesus had told them previously. On meeting up with Jesus there is a dual response – worship and doubt. In spite of the uncertainty of some, Jesus gives them, and us, His “Great Commission.”
He prefaces the command itself with the statement of His authority, with the reminder that it had been “given.” The disciples and many other followers had certainly witnessed His authority over the winds and the waves. They had seen and perhaps even experienced His healing power over spiritual, mental, and physical disease. They had watched and listened as Jesus challenged the ideas and traditions of the religious leaders of the time. Ultimately, they had witnessed His power over death – the death of others and even His own death.
So, they should have been assured of His authority – all authority in heaven and on earth.
Then why did some doubt? Perhaps they had come to understand that Jesus would soon leave them and return to the Father as He had said. Perhaps they realized that now the ball was in their court. They may have recalled Jesus’ words that they would do greater things that what He had done. Yikes! I think I may have been among the some that doubted!
But Jesus presses on. Go! Baptize! Make disciples! Preach! Teach! And do all this with the full authority of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Who me? Yes, you. Remember everything I taught you and pass it on. And in case we are still doubting, Jesus gives that wonderful promise. And surely, I am with you, not just now and again, but always, to the end of time. That same promised “Immanuel, God with us” that starts off Matthew’s gospel, ties it all together with the promise of God’s abiding presence.
What are we waiting for? I pray that the Lord Jesus will give us, through the work of His Holy Spirit, the courage and perseverance needed to continue on with Jesus’ loving work in His world. There are many more disciples to be made. Much preaching and teaching is still needed. So, let’s get on with it!
So, they should have been assured of His authority – all authority in heaven and on earth.
Then why did some doubt? Perhaps they had come to understand that Jesus would soon leave them and return to the Father as He had said. Perhaps they realized that now the ball was in their court. They may have recalled Jesus’ words that they would do greater things that what He had done. Yikes! I think I may have been among the some that doubted!
But Jesus presses on. Go! Baptize! Make disciples! Preach! Teach! And do all this with the full authority of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Who me? Yes, you. Remember everything I taught you and pass it on. And in case we are still doubting, Jesus gives that wonderful promise. And surely, I am with you, not just now and again, but always, to the end of time. That same promised “Immanuel, God with us” that starts off Matthew’s gospel, ties it all together with the promise of God’s abiding presence.
What are we waiting for? I pray that the Lord Jesus will give us, through the work of His Holy Spirit, the courage and perseverance needed to continue on with Jesus’ loving work in His world. There are many more disciples to be made. Much preaching and teaching is still needed.
So, let’s get on with it!
Sandy Copland-Dufour is the RF Board Chairperson