The Great Commission

We are all aware of the Great Commission, I assume. You know, "Go and preach the gospel." Yes, yes ... except ... no. That is Mark's version (Mark 16:15) (or so), but, while Matthew's does not contradict it, his is more inclusive. (That is, it includes more.)

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20)

Is "Preach the gospel" in there? Absolutely. Just like "start the engine" would be in the instructions that tell you to drive to Albuquerque, "Preach the gospel" would certainly be a necessary part. But only part.

Note first, then, that the Great Commission is a commission given by Christ. That is, if you call yourself a "Christian" -- a "Christ-follower" -- it is not an option. It is a mandate. What is the mandate? "Go." As you are going, as opposed to sitting, doing nothing, watching TV, whatever. Go. Go to neighbors and coworkers and even other nations as the Lord leads. Then, "Make disciples." Not just present the gospel, which is, certainly, necessary, but "make disciples." He isn't unclear on what that entails. First, baptize them. Sure, sure, we should see that they're baptized, but I think it's much, much more. The word, "baptize," means "to immerse." So, fine, you want to start with water and a "in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" formula, all well and good. But don't stop there. Immerse them into all that God is. And how would we do that? Teach them ... everything. Teach them to see it ("observe") and to practice it. The word is rooted in "to watch," but means more like "to guard" or "to hold fast." Do that. All of it. That's the mandate.

The Great Commission is a bigger task than most of us think, and most of us aren't really good at "preach the gospel." So, look at two other factors here. First, verse 19 gives us a "therefore." Why should we do this? Because He said so. isn't that what it says? "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Because He is the ultimate authority, do it. And, at the other end, how? This is a big task. It is a command. It isn't an option. It isn't a holy suggestion. How are we to do it? "I am with you always." We do it with His guidance and His power and His presence. A big job? Indeed, but it's by His command and with Him present ... always. So, are you making disciples?