God's Mission
Matthew 28:16-20
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.”
Pondering Point
The command here is not so much about “going,” but about “making disciples of all nations” as you go. But one cannot wiggle out from under the “go.” It “goes” toward intent. What is your aim as you live? When you go about life, what are you trying to accomplish with your time and effort? If you are not going for Jesus, then you are not going to accomplish His task of making disciples. This situation calls for a spiritual submission to Jesus’ disciple-making command – and a willingness to put it into practice. So let’s get real. As you see it, does Jesus have authority over you? Does He have authority to tell you to “go and make disciples of all nations?” You don’t have to reach the whole world personally; there are plenty of love-your-neighbor discipleship opportunities right near you. Lift this up in prayer:
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You have all authority in heaven and on earth – and authority over me. I submit to Your authority and pray that You have Your Holy Spirit teach me how to “go” and “make disciples” of whatever part of the nations I and my church can help You reach. Grant all we need by Your power and Spirit. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Journal Prompt:
How do you react to acknowledging Jesus’ authority over your life?
How does it feel?
What does it make you think?
Write it down.
