REMINDER: The Shepherd's Conference is this Sunday. We would like to encourage everyone to help go Evangelizing this Saturday. Feel free to invite friends and families to go evangelizing with us.

"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 (NIV)

These words, spoken by the resurrected Christ to His disciples, form what is known as the Great Commission. This passage encapsulates the mission of the church and provides a clear mandate for all believers. In this article, we will explore the depth and implications of this commission, its context within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative, and its practical application for believers and churches today.

1. The Context of Matthew 28:18-20

To fully appreciate the significance of the Great Commission, we must understand its context within Matthew's Gospel. This passage comes at the very end of the book, serving as the climax and conclusion to Matthew's account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

The setting is post-resurrection, on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16). Mountains in Matthew's Gospel often serve as significant locations for divine revelation (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, the Transfiguration in Matthew 17). This final mountain scene brings Jesus' earthly ministry to a close and launches the mission of the church.

It's worth noting that while some disciples worshipped Jesus, others doubted (Matthew 28:17). This human mix of faith and doubt provides a realistic backdrop for the commission that follows, reminding us that God works through imperfect people.

2. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me"

Jesus begins by asserting His absolute authority. This declaration echoes Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man is given authority over all peoples and nations. It also recalls Jesus' words in Matthew 11:27: "All things have been committed to me by my Father."

This authority forms the basis for the commission that follows. Jesus is not merely making a suggestion but issuing a command based on His divine right to rule. This authority extends over both the spiritual ("heaven") and physical ("earth") realms, encompassing all of creation.

3. "Therefore go"

The word "therefore" links Jesus' authority with the command that follows. Because Jesus has all authority, His followers are to go. The Greek participle translated "go" carries the force of an imperative: "having gone" or "as you go." This implies that making disciples should be a natural outflow of the Christian life, not just a task for specialized missionaries.

4. "Make disciples of all nations"

The main verb in this commission is "make disciples." This is the central command, with the other actions (going, baptizing, teaching) supporting this primary goal. A disciple is a follower, a learner, one who patterns their life after their teacher.

The scope of this disciple-making is universal: "all nations" (Greek: panta ta ethne). This echoes God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3) and fulfills Old Testament prophecies of all nations coming to worship the true God (e.g., Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-2).

5. "Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

Baptism is presented here as an integral part of disciple-making. It serves as a public declaration of faith and identification with Christ and His church. The Trinitarian formula used here is significant, affirming the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit alongside the Father.

6. "Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"

Disciple-making involves not just initial conversion but ongoing instruction and obedience. The goal is not mere intellectual assent but full obedience to Christ's teachings. This echoes Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount about doing the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21-27).

7. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"

The commission concludes with a promise of Christ's presence. This recalls the meaning of the name Immanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), bookending Matthew's Gospel. Christ's presence empowers the church for its mission and provides comfort in the face of challenges.

Theological Implications:

1. Christology: The passage affirms Christ's divine authority and ongoing presence with His church.

2. Trinity: The baptismal formula presents a clear Trinitarian theology.

3. Ecclesiology: The church's primary mission is defined as making disciples.

4. Soteriology: Salvation involves not just initial faith but ongoing discipleship and obedience.

5. Eschatology: The promise of Christ's presence "to the very end of the age" points to a future consummation.

Practical Applications:

1. Evangelism and Missions: The church should be actively engaged in sharing the gospel both locally and globally.

2. Discipleship: Churches should have clear pathways for growing believers in their faith and obedience to Christ.

3. Baptism: Churches should practice baptism as a public declaration of faith and incorporation into the church.

4. Bible Teaching: Sound, comprehensive teaching of Scripture should be a priority in church life.

5. Cultural Engagement: The call to disciple "all nations" requires cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does your understanding of Christ's authority impact your daily life and decisions?

2. In what ways are you currently involved in making disciples? How could you grow in this area?

3. How does your church balance the various aspects of the Great Commission (evangelism, baptism, teaching)?

4. What challenges do you face in obeying everything Christ has commanded? How can you grow in obedience?

5. How does the promise of Christ's presence encourage you in difficult times or challenging ministry situations?

Challenges in Application:

1. Balancing Evangelism and Discipleship: Churches may struggle to balance initial outreach with ongoing discipleship.

2. Cultural Relevance vs. Biblical Fidelity: Adapting to different cultures while maintaining biblical truth can be challenging.

3. Individualism vs. Community: Western individualism can hinder the communal aspect of discipleship emphasized in Scripture.

4. Superficial vs. Deep Discipleship: There's a temptation to focus on numbers rather than depth of discipleship.

5. Professionalization of Ministry: The Great Commission is for all believers, not just professional clergy.

Biblical Examples of Great Commission Fulfillment:

1. Pentecost (Acts 2): The disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin fulfilling the Great Commission in Jerusalem.

2. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40): An example of cross-cultural evangelism, baptism, and teaching.

3. Paul's Missionary Journeys (Acts 13-28): Paul's work exemplifies the global scope of the Great Commission.

4. Discipleship in the Epistles: Paul's letters often focus on teaching believers to obey Christ's commands (e.g., Colossians 1:28-29).

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 stands as a clear and compelling mandate for the church. Rooted in Christ's authority and empowered by His presence, believers are called to the task of making disciples of all nations. This involves a holistic approach of evangelism, baptism, and ongoing teaching, with the goal of full obedience to Christ.

As we seek to fulfill this commission, we must remember that it's not just a task to be completed but a way of life to be embraced. The call to make disciples is not limited to professional missionaries or clergy but is the responsibility and privilege of every believer. It requires us to be both learners and teachers, constantly growing in our own faith while helping others do the same.

Moreover, the Great Commission reminds us of the global nature of God's redemptive plan. From Abraham to the prophets to Christ Himself, God's heart has always been for all nations. As the church, we are called to continue this mission, crossing cultural, linguistic, and geographic boundaries to share the good news of Christ.

Finally, we must not overlook the incredible promise that concludes this commission. Christ's assured presence with us "always, to the very end of the age" provides the comfort and empowerment we need to fulfill this daunting task. We do not go in our own strength, but in the power and authority of the risen Christ.

May we, as Christ's church, take this commission to heart, continually seeking to make disciples who make disciples. In doing so, may we faithfully carry out the mission entrusted to us, always relying on the authority and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.