Day 19: The Great Commission Passage

You have seen the phrase Great Commission many times in this thirty-day challenge. It might be helpful, then, to examine a Great Commission passage from the Bible. If we are seeking to be Great Commission Christians, it behooves us to know exactly what the Great Commission is.

Although there is not a singularly definitive Scripture passage about the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20 is likely the best-known among several. It certainly is packed and comprehensive for only three verses. Let’s review the passage again: “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all 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.’”

Mark 16:15 is an abbreviated version of the Great Commission: “[Jesus] told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” We already looked at Acts 1:8 on Day 2. It is one of the most-often cited Great Commission verses. Luke 10:2 and Matthew 9:38 are similar to each other, in that Jesus implores believers to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest fields.

THE AUTHORITY FACTOR

My first job out of college was with a well-known bank in Atlanta. Though the bank has been through several mergers since my tenure there, it had a very solid reputation throughout the Southeast. When I would call on a prospective commercial customer, I often got immediate attention when I gave the person the name of my bank.

The bank’s name had prestige, influence, and authority. Indeed, I took the job in part because of the bank’s stellar reputation. It carried a lot of weight in the community.

Jesus reminds us that when we share the gospel, we do so under his authority: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). The name of Jesus is the greatest name ever. When we witness, we are his ambassadors. Therefore, we carry his authority into our communities.

When you decided to take this thirty-day challenge, you may have wondered whether you could really do it. You may have thought you couldn’t see yourself telling others about Jesus. You may have come with doubts that you could become a Great Commission Christian.

I get it. I’ve been through some of those same doubts myself. But when I realize that I go and speak with the authority of Jesus, my entire perspective changes. I gain confidence because my confidence is in Jesus.

The first time I intentionally shared the gospel with someone, I was so nervous and my words were so convoluted that I was sure I had totally blown it. But the friend to whom I was witnessing calmly told me he wanted to hear more. He became a believer in Christ that very day. That was not my power. That was not my authority. That was the authority and power of Jesus.

JESUS SAID “GO”

The command from Jesus is unequivocal: “Go and make disciples.” The word go in the original language of the Gospels refers to more than a singular act of sharing the gospel. It could also be translated “as you are going.” In other words, being a witness for Jesus is a continuous action and a continuous state of mind.

The implications of this command are significant. In order to be in a continuous mode of going, we must be prepared. Such preparation should include praying for the right words, the right opportunity, and the eyes to see those opportunities. I cannot recall a time when I prayed for opportunities where God did not give me one in short order. In fact, I am usually surprised by how quickly the opportunities come.

Another implication of this command is that our lifestyle must reflect well on our verbal witness. We will not typically find a receptive audience if our behavior and actions contradict the life Christ intended for us to live.

Think about how far you have traveled in these first nineteen days. We began with basic prayers and study verses, and now we are talking about becoming an ongoing witness for Christ. Indeed, my prayer is that you will conclude this study with a new desire and a new confidence in Christ, that you will be a witness for him every day “as you are going.”

THE POWER AND THE PRESENCE

Jesus said to go. Indeed, he said to continuously go. And he reminded us that, as we go, we are going under his authority. Such a statement is powerful. But the Great Commission encompasses even more.

Jesus also told us he would be with us as we go. When we become witnesses for Christ, he promises to be right there as we speak: “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

When I was a young teenager, I always wanted to hang out with a guy named Bill. He was my favorite friend at the time for several reasons. First, he had a driver’s license because he was three years older than I was. Second, he had a car, a pretty nice car back in those days. Third, he was bigger than I was. When we went somewhere, such as to a ball game, he would remind me that he had my back.

When I walked with Bill, I walked with confidence, maybe even a bit of a swagger. I knew he would take care of me. I knew he was with me to protect me whenever we were together.

Now I realize I have much more than a bigger friend to protect me and be with me. I have Jesus, the King of kings and the Creator of the universe. He is with me. And he promises to be with me until the very end.

Jesus uttered these words as a reminder that we don’t become Great Commission Christians in our own power. He reminded us that he is with us always. We have both his presence and his power when we share the gospel.

THE GREAT COMMISSION IS FOR US . . . TODAY

Though Jesus gave the Great Commission to his immediate eleven disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, he meant the words to carry to all Christians throughout the ages. Such is the reason he said he is with us “even to the end of the age.”

Your study of this Great Commission passage for Day 19 should be a great encouragement to you. As we seek to become the Great Commission Christians that Jesus intends for us to be, his words remind us that we are not doing this mission on our own. We go in his authority. We go with his presence. And we go with confidence because he promised us he would be with us to the end of the age.

Make certain you have read Matthew 28:18-20 closely. Make sure you understand it fully. And pray that you will be obedient to the words that Jesus left us.