The book of Matthew ends with Jesus giving the Great Commission — the marching orders for how the early church was to move forward after Jesus ascended into heaven. After being in the church for a while, it’s easy for me to read over this scripture quickly. However, I’m reminded of the context of the 11 disciples standing in front of Jesus hearing those words. After everything that they had witnessed from Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, what did they think their future looked like? How did they imagine they would make disciples of all nations? While we can’t be certain about the answers to those questions, one thing I do know: you and I are here as a result of their obedience. As they each went out and made disciples, those disciples made other disciples, who made others, and others, and others. And for thousands of years, God has been building His church through regular people like the disciples, investing in the lives of others and pointing them to Jesus. With this in mind, how can we not be people who continue to “go”? Ask God to show you if anything is holding you back from reaching those around you. What is the next step you can take towards investing in others? All with the promise and guarantee that Jesus is with us through it all.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20