The Great Commission

After his resurrection, Jesus had directed the disciples to meet him in Galilee.  As we saw in John 21:14-22, the disciples had gone to Galilee, where they met the Lord.  He would spend about a month in Galilee, reviewing what had happened and what he had taught them so that they would fully understand his purpose.  Matthew 28:16-20 gives us a small description of some of the things he taught at that time.   The last three verses are what is known as the Great Commission, The responsibilities of Christ’s disciples.  

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The great commission is based on the fact that Christ has been given final authority over everything in this universe.  I Corinthians 15:24-28 tells us, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”  God has given that authority to Christ.  Hebrews 2:7-8 says essentially the same thing.  “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”  

Because Christ has been given that authority, His disciples are commanded to go out and “teach(μαθητενω-disciple) all nations,” literally to cause them to become disciples.  Once they become disciples they are to baptize(βαπτίζω-Immerse) them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” Not merely dipping them in the water, but causing them to understand the role of the Father, the son, and the Holy spirit in their salvation and Christian life.  Finally, they are to teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, literally, they are to teach them to obey everything Christ has commanded.  Simply getting a profession of faith, or getting them to go through the ritual of baptism is not enough. 

II Timothy 4:3-5 warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  Eventually people will not want to hear God’s word, and will turn against those who teach it.  As Christians, we are to make full proof of our ministry, literally doing all there parts even in those times when people do not want to hear.  We need to remember that hard as it may be, Jesus promised, “… lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world….”  Knowing we have the full support of ruler of the universe, we should not hesitate to do what he has commanded us to do.