Why Go?

Why Go?

“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 28:18-20).

Known as the “Great Commission,” these verses contain the last recorded words of Jesus before his ascension, according to Matthew’s gospel. 

He begins by telling us who He is, that He has authority over all things, both in heaven and on the earth.  Then he gives us our “job,” which contains several verbs:

~Go

~Make

~Baptize

~Teach

To “go” will require some purposeful action on our part, some intention.  It may require us – sometimes but not always – to leave families or familiar things, and venture into the great unknown.  This “going” is a global enterprise.

To “make disciples” will require us to pour into people’s lives.  Disciple, from the Greek “mathetes,” means “learner,” or “student.”   Making disciples is not done casually.  It requires time, effort, and thoughtfulness from the one doing the discipling and from the disciple. 

“Baptizing” in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, symbolizes turning away from sin – washing away sins and identifying with Christ as Lord.  It is part of the outward declaration of the inward experience.  The Apostle Paul would later write, “For am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”  (Romans 1:16). 

“Teaching” them to observe all Jesus commanded requires us to know and pass on the things He did teach. 

Here are some of them:

~ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength

~ Love your neighbor as yourself

~Love your enemies

~Pray for those who persecute you

~Go the “extra mile” – do more than what someone asks of you (Matthew 5:38-41)

~ Hold marriage in honor (Matt. 19:4-5).  Marriage is a reflection of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:23-24)

~ Turn from sin – Jesus sometimes forgave sins before performing a healing miracle, demonstrating that He had both the authority to forgive sin, and that turning from sin was a necessary part of following Him.

He ends our “job description” with a promise – “And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Because He is with us and has sent the Holy Spirit, we have the power to do all He has commanded us to do.

May we be found faithfully going, making, baptizing, and teaching.