Marching Orders
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I am so thankful for Your Great Commission, and for Your daily intercession in heaven for me.
Read Matthew 28:16-20
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
On this day, when many Christians around the world mark the ascension to heaven of the Risen Lord Jesus, it’s appropriate to read this well known passage at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. It records the final instructions that Our Lord gave to his disciples before his ascension.
At this point, Jesus is risen and glorified, but still on the earth. The disciples went to meet him at a mountain in Galilee as they had been instructed through the women who were witnesses to the empty tomb and the resurrection (28:10). Here, Jesus reminds (or perhaps, reassures) them of his authority (18) in words that we may find familiar (Dan. 7:13,14). Surely, if the disciples are to carry out these ambitious and dangerous “marching orders,” they need to be sure of the authority of their commander.
On the basis of his authority, Jesus gives them their “great commission”: to go and make that authority known and obeyed–when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess it (Phil. 2:10,11)–throughout the entire world (19). The way this authority will be spread is through baptism (when people willingly submit to it and join as disciples) and teaching people to obey Jesus’ commands. Of course, being taught or learning how to be a disciple isn’t sufficient in itself. Jesus’ authority and reign is spread when people practice and obey what they’ve learned (Jas. 1:22-25). No true disciple wants to hear their master say “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).
The “Great Commission” remains unfulfilled. Our “marching orders” are in effect until the Lord returns. He has ascended into heaven but his work on earth is not done, so neither is yours and mine.
Apply
What more can or should you, as Christ’s disciple, do in the next week or month to carry out your “great commission”?
Closing prayer
Risen, Ascended Lord, I want to be a faithful disciple. Show me what I should do to carry on Your work.
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