Introduction
This Chapter is about the resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples,
commissioning them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and promising to be
with them always.
Matthew 28: 11 to 15.
The first part of this chapter.
The Guard's 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) Tell 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 Shameful Commission.
The chief priests and elders to the guards at the tomb to spread disinformation
about the body of Jesus.
The guardes and the chief priests and elders now find themselves in a most
awkward position.
Even though the guard had been posted at the tomb, the body of Jesus was
gone. This was, for Jesus' followers, good news.
It was anything but for the guards, priests, and elders.
The nature of The Shameful Commission.
1) It was a commission that involved a monetary bribe to conceal the truth.
2) It was a commission to tell a lie.
3) It was a commission to publish the news that Jesus was still dead and the
disciples were criminals.
4) It was a commission that promised political protection should the truth come out.
5) It was a commission to spread bad news.
6) It was a commission that gave no hope.
The principle being that the devil can only mimic in the dark what the Lord
does in the light, and twist the truth to lies.
The second part of this chapter.
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 worshipped 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, baptising them in the name of the Father and 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.
What a beautiful contrast this is to The Shameful Commission.
Here, the risen Christ commissions His followers, then and now, to take the
good news to the nations.
We do so under the authority of Jesus Christ.
We are called to make "disciples," not merely converts to a new idea.
We are called, in other words, to make Jesus-followers, apprentices of Jesus.
And the Church is called to baptize these Jesus-followers in the name of
our Triune God.
We are also called to call the nations to obedience to the way of Jesus, again
not merely to an idea about Jesus.
The Nature of The Great Commission.
1) It was a commission that needed no monetary motivation.
2) It was a commission to tell the simple truth.
3) It was a commission to publish the good news that the crucified Christ is
alive and is coming again.
4) It was a commission of Joy, not of fear.
5) It was a commission of revelation, not of concealment.
6) It was a commission to spread the good news.
Once again, the devil's imitations and mockeries look weak and silly before
the reality of God's great works.
The Great Commission is a call to a great privilege, to a great adventure!
The Church is the primary way that the good news gets to the nations!
We are called to call upon the nations to come to King Jesus.
We are heralds, town criers. And what we herald is good news that the
nations desperately need to hear.
Summary.
Jesus called his first disciples in the Galilee district. Now Galilee is the place
where he gives his final instructions to them.
Jesus speaks of his authority, given to him by God.
"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth."
He is about to give his disciples three commands:
1) "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples."
means that all people everywhere must hear the gospel message.
2) "Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
From the very beginning, Christians were baptised as a sign of forgiveness of sin and entry into the Church.
3) "Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you."
The disciples need to pass on Jesus' teaching and instruct new Christians
how to live as believers.
Finally, Jesus ends with a promise, " And I will be with you always, to the end
of the age. "
Jesus has given his disciples an enormous task, but he is not leaving them
without help. He will shortly be returning to Heaven, but will remain with
them in Spirit.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus.
Please help us to embark on your mission to spread the word and create followers, just as you directed in Matthew 28:16-20.
It's not a choice, it's an assignment from you, Lord Jesus.
Let's extend our reach beyond familiarity to global efforts.
Please guide us and give us strength and boldness in your Holy Spirit
and help us fulfill your Great Commission to save the world.
Amen.
