Reading Plan:
Matthew 28

Our Thoughts:
The Gospel of Matthew doesn't give us a lot of details about the events that take place after the death and burial of Jesus. Only 20 verses are dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus, the most central and pivotal moment of the Christian faith. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ had not been raised from the dead then the entirety of our faith is in vain. Everything rests on the empty tomb, the defeating of sin, and the grave. Matthew undoubtedly knew the importance of this event. However, I believe the reason he didn't record it in greater detail is because he understood that the power of the resurrection lies not in it being an historical event but in its future implications.
With his last breath on the cross, Jesus managed to utter audibly the phrase, "It is finished." John 19 tells us that with that last labored utterance, Jesus gave up His spirt. Sin had been defeated. Justice had been served. The purpose of His life was complete. His atoning work was finished, but there is still much to be done. The finished cross means the beginning of the church's mission. So as Matthew recounts the resurrection of Jesus, he focuses on the important mission given to all who follow Jesus.
"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, '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 28:16-20.
I have read these verses countless times, and heard them preached and taught even more. As I read through them this morning, however, the fullness of what is referred to here as the Great Commission seemed to stand out like never before. Read those verses again and pay attention to the "all" statements.
All authority. Jesus is the name above all names. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. All things are under his feet. There is nothing or no one that has greater authority or power than Jesus Christ our Savior. From that authority He commands us to "go." Our obedience and the results of that obedience are not a result of our willpower or ability, but rather his authority.
All nations. His command to go and teach His story has no limits or boundaries. There are no national borders that signify the end of this commissioning. There are no people who are beyond His span of care and concern. His grace, and therefore our mission, extends to the ends of the earth and to every person from here to there.
All commands. I do find it interesting that the command to disciple and baptize appears before the command to "teach them to observe all my commands." Baptism is symbolic of our pursuit of Jesus in life, not a result of personal perfection. In pursuit of Jesus there is not a command found in His word that does not apply to you or me.
Always with you. In His final moments, Jesus gives a final reminder that we are never alone. Even though we might not see him physically like the disciples did, He has never left us, not even for a moment. Our friend and savior is always with us through the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

More Questions:
How are you obeying the command to "go and make disciples?"
How can you use your story and interaction with Jesus to influence those far from Him?

Prayer:
You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are worthy of all praise and honor. Lord, I pray that your name will be honored in my life today. Help me to live on mission to the purpose you have called us to. Open my eyes to the people around me that need to hear about your grace and mercy.

Author: Kyle Warren