The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20

This was right after Jesus was resurrected from the dead. The angel met Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the empty tomb. The angel told them to go tell the disciples that Jesus had gone before them into Galilee. They met Jesus on their way to tell the disciples. Jesus also told Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to go and tell His brothers (disciples) to go to Galilee to meet him.
Even some of his closest associates had doubts. These are people that He had been with for 3 years! They had just been through a total upheaval of their world. They "lost" their teacher, their rabbi, their Lord. Imagine yourself in their place, imagine that you had just spent the last 3 years of your life traveling and living with the Son of God. He's removed from your midst, arrested, beaten mercilessly, and executed in the most heinous method known, crucifixion.
That had to be one of the lowest points of their lives. And then to hear that He has risen. That He's been seen alive and has sent you a message to meet him at a mountain top near Galilee. I'm sure there were some who were saying "see, I told you, he came back, just like he said he would" and others thinking, if not saying, "it's just not possible, I saw what he went through, it's just not possible". Even after they saw him in person, some doubted.
Alex was home on a break from his church college, and he had questions—spiritual questions. He made an appointment with his trusted Pastor, Nick Marsden. “I can’t question anything in my religion class,” Alex complained. “The professor, Old Beady-eyes, thinks anyone’s a heathen who questions one little thing.”
“So you decided to dump all your doubts on me,” responded Pastor Nick.
“Yeah, I think I can talk with you—and you can’t flunk me, either!” Alex replied. “So, for example, what about the Trinity? I can’t even begin to figure that out!”
“Join the club!” Pastor Nick answered. “So far I haven’t heard of anyone who can.”
“Well, how can I believe something I don’t understand?” Alex asked.
“Oh, we believe all kinds of things we don’t understand,” said his pastor. “For example, we believe in gravity, don’t we? I know that I can’t jump to the top of the steeple of this church! I know gravity exists, but I don’t understand it; do you?”
They talked some more about the Trinity and other questions about Christianity. And finally they agreed that doubt could be a good thing when it compels us to probe. Probing our faith, after all—especially in the company of the church—can cause us to grow spiritually.
But that didn't stop Jesus, He started out by telling them where He got his authority, God. He was speaking with the authority and presence of the Living God. He told them to; Go! (the original Greek word could be better translated as "As you go") as if it was already assumed that they would be going out into the world.
Go out, and train everyone in this way of life. They were to train others to live the way they were living, devoted to the spreading of the message of Jesus, the Son of God, the Living God.
Where? near and far they weren't to just do the easy work, in the next village, the next city, the next province. They were to go throughout the known world, both to places that were going to be familiar and comfortable to them, as well as foreign places.
Mark them by baptism, a symbolic cleansing, to show the world that they are disciples of Jesus, washed free from sin and the old ways
in the threefold name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit this is the Triune God, three persons in one.
I know this isn't exactly theologically "correct", but this came to me yesterday.
We'll use the example of my father during my life from birth to adulthood. When I was a small child, Dad was the "authoritarian". How many remember "just wait until your father comes home" or "your father would be so disappointed" We obeyed and respected Dad from caution, or fear (in some families.) From what we read of the Jewish culture, I believe that's how God was viewed. A God of strength, force and might.
As I got older, say my mid to late teens, Dad was more of a buddy, someone to do things with, someone to learn from. This is how I think of Jesus. Someone to walk beside me day to day, talk to, a companion.
Then, after my Dad passed away, I had my memories. And there are times I think that just maybe, he is watching something I'm doing, or something my son is doing. I still talk to him, ask him how to do something, what's the best tool to use, or way to do something. I don't get an answer, but sometimes my memory is stirred or it causes me to pause and think about how Dad would have done it. This, to me, is what I imagine the Holy Spirit is. Not a great big "Dad" in the sky, but someone to seek strength and understanding from. That invisible someone who is
watching over me, tapping my conscience when it needs it. Someone who is there to give me strength and encouragement when things aren't
going quite right.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you
Don't keep this to yourself, share it, teach others. By teaching them, we make disciples of Jesus. After they have been taught, then they will, in turn, go out and teach others. Thus, the teachings of Jesus, the good news of his sacrifice, the very love of Jesus will be spread.
I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.
His promise to his disciples, is that he will be with them, until the end. He is not asking them to do anything above or beyond what He himself has done. He will be there, by their side, helping them, comforting them, and encouraging them.
This "Great Commission" is our commission too. We don't need to have "perfect" faith, even some of his disciples struggled. They were told to train "everyone", not just the important, the powerful, the rich. If we look at Jesus' ministry, we'll see that he sought out the poor, the widows, the sick, the sinners, to care for. We too, need to minister to everyone, especially the ones that so very much need His forgiveness, His love, and His compassion. There are so many around us, literally, that have not heard the message. We are surrounded by those in need. Those who are searching for that "something", that living water that will quench their thirst.
Notice, the disciples were not told to go to the temple and sit and wait for people to arrive. They were command to go out.
We, being disciples of Christ, have been given the exact same command, two thousand years later, Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.
And we have the exact same promise, I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.
- Ralph