THE GREATEST COMMISSION
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank you that your Word is truth and that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help me to live today rejoicing in him.
Read MATTHEW 28:11–20
The Guards’ Report
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Know that the Word is truth and that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Live today rejoicing in him.
Think Further
Manipulation and injustice dominated everything the religious authorities did to Jesus. William Barclay1 says that they used treachery to lay hold on him, illegality to try him, slander to charge him to Pilate and bribery to silence the truth about him – but, despite all their efforts, they failed. The false story about the theft of Christ’s body folded, as the Holy Spirit communicated the power of Christ’s resurrection to hearts across the world. Over the past two millennia, billions of people have believed through God’s Word and have based their hope on Christ’s victory over sin and death. God’s truth triumphs over the lies of Satan, and those in bondage to evil.
When Jesus gave his commission to followers gathered in Galilee, he told them to make disciples of all nations and teach them the way of Christ. It must have seemed an incredibly tall order to a small group of Jewish men who had spent their entire lives within a small part of the earth. Christ spoke to both those who believed and those who doubted; his commission was not based on the strength of faith of his followers, but on his own power.
Without Christ’s power, the disciples could accomplish nothing. We know that ourselves, as God commissions us afresh to continue the work passed down to us. We do not rely on our strength and we are not disqualified by our doubts, because all power in heaven and earth is given to Jesus. Our weakness is made perfect in Christ’s strength, even when evil seems to flourish and truth brings persecution, but we need to hold on to the promise he made to his disciples, for it is true for us today. Christ will indeed be with us always, even to the end of the world. His love will sustain us.
Apply
May God be with you and bless you as you seek to serve him in the work he has given you, or as you are being prepared for something new.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, your call is clear. I am to witness, disciple, and bring the light into the dark places of my world. Teach me and use me.
1 William Barclay (1907-1978), Scottish writer of several NT Commentaries
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