A Job to Do: The Great Commission

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:18-20)

What began as a call to become disciples ended as a commission to make disciples. 

In the wake of Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles were on the brink of a future they could not imagine. His words in Matthew 28:18–20 gave them their marching orders: 

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

Jesus gave purpose and direction to the disciples’ potential, to their burning desire to share all they had seen and heard. He channeled their energy into an unprecedented evangelical explosion. He removed the barriers standing in their way. Before long, it wasn’t only Jerusalem that was in play for them; it was the entire Roman Empire. It was Asia Minor, Europe, India, and lands beyond. All nations were prospective destinations. 

Jesus gave his disciples the authority to speak for and about him. With that authority came great power— power that was unmistakably divine. That power enabled Peter and John to heal the disabled and drive demons out of the possessed. 

With that power came great responsibility as well. The apostles’ role changed from students to teachers, leaders, counselors, mentors, and proclaimers. Christians today share that same responsibility to share the message of Jesus with the world. 

And with that responsibility comes support. Though Jesus returned to heaven, his Spirit accompanies his followers wherever we go. 

The Great Commission, as it is called, is Jesus’ final spoken message recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.  

LIFE LESSON:

Christ’s mission was (and still is) surprisingly simple: he trained twelve original disciples who would make disciples, who would make disciples . . .

This blog post has been adapted from The Twelve Apostles, a special-edition magazine now available in stores.