I refer to Matthew 28:19-20, what’s known as “The Great Commission,” a lot. It’s where Jesus said to the disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” But, what does it mean? What does it mean to ‘make disciples?’ Does it sound a bit too intense to you? At first, it sounded too intense to me.
I read the verses before this text to try to understand what was happening. Jesus said these words to his disciples just after the resurrection on the first Easter morning. He had just appeared to his disciples, but they didn’t totally believe that it was Jesus—that He actually conquered death. They doubted what they saw. So Jesus says something to get their attention, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth.” Jesus was basically telling the disciples, I’m The One—The One you’ve been waiting for—the One who conquered death. Jesus told them that He had the complete authority to bring God’s rule in heaven on earth (Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…)
Once Jesus got their attention, He gave them direction—to ‘go’ and ‘teach’ others what He’d taught them. Jesus had mentored the disciples, had invested in their lives, to the point of death—death that gave way to life. Now it was the disciples’ turn. They needed to teach and mentor others…and we have that same responsibility today.
© 2005 ginny rogers
It is interesting to read this. It is so simple and brought forth in so many messages. but it is also so powerful. Jesus totally conqured death. That above all should indicate his authority, and yet as humans we still doubt; even the deciples doubted. I hope and pray that we can all be nightlights in the world. More then one shines a bigger light and so on and so forth, but even alone the single nightlight has power. The best thing about it is that the light has a bigger, better, and greater source where its power comes from.
04.20.05 @ 18:18:51
I love this part of the Bible.
There are times when I ask myself “Who am I do minster to others?”
or “What authority do I have to be a leader for Christ?”
or even “How can I witness to others all by myself? I’ll just screw it up!”
This verse speaks loud and clear Рwe DO have the authority, and we won’t be alone in excercising it. He’ll be there every step of the way.
04.21.05 @ 12:04:36