Matthew 28: 18-20
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.”
The Great Commission is perhaps one of the best-known commands in the Bible, while also being one of the commands that most of us obey the least. It's interesting to note that is begins with a "therefore", which means you need to back up a little to get the full understanding.
Jesus appears to His Disciples and says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go…". To put it bluntly, Jesus is asserting His absolute rule over everything, both in Heaven and on earth. He is reminding the Disciple exactly who it is that is giving them the command to "go and make disciples of all nations." If your boss tells you to go, you go. If your wife tells you to go, you go (usually). If your investment advisor tells you to go, you go. If you best friend tells you to go, you go. When the King of the Universe tells us to go, we say "maybe later" or perhaps "I don't feel called to do that." Wow.
The day I asked my wife to marry me was unbelievably exciting, not only because she said "yes", but also because I understood what a huge step it was in my life. I could not get to a phone quick enough. I called my parents, my brother and my sisters. I stopped by my grandmother's house and told everyone at work as soon as I got there. I told complete strangers at drive-thru windows and stores. "I just got engaged!" rolled off of my lips as easily as any words I had ever uttered…yet when it comes to the Great Commission, I hesitate?
Making disciples is a command, but it's also a great privilege. In 1 Thessalonians 2 we read that we have been "entrusted with the Gospel" as followers of Christ. The word "entrusted" implies great worth as well as great privilege. As followers of Christ, He has commanded us to share this priceless news, and in doing so we get to exercise a great privilege. Therefore…Go!
