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.” Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
About 2.5 billion people today will be celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. Sermons will be preached. Choirs will be singing. Churches will be packed with both heathen and saint. Each expression will look a bit different, regardless of denomination or theological stream. Easter after Easter. Year after year. The resurrection truth and the gospel commission remain the same.
Go.
The resurrected Jesus meets with His followers. He first proclaims the life-changing truth that He holds all authority over all things in heaven and on earth. All things. Let that sink in. All things. He then commissions the disciples to go. Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach people to obey all that He commands. Teach them to follow Me. Go deliver the message of reconciliation everywhere (2 Cor. 5:18). To all people. To the ends of the earth. He tells them, and He tells us, to do this knowing that Jesus and all His authority are in us and with us till the end of the age.
A life-changing message. Eleven disciples. Worshippers AND doubters. Don’t miss that some of them doubted, just like you and me. But even in our doubt, Jesus calls us to Himself and commissions us to fulfill His purpose. Worshipping and sometimes doubting, we go and make disciples. Walking in His indwelling, all-powerful presence, we go forth in His name. Go and tell others what you have seen. Tell them what you know to be true. Proclaim in His power the authority of His name over all things. He who is in you, with you, and moving through you till the end of the age.
Go. Make disciples.
The Next Question.
What keeps you from going? Is it doubt?