Matthew 28:16 – Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 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.” (NLT)

Today’s passage is familiar to many Christians, it is The Great Commission.  It is not, however, the great suggestion.  Notice that Jesus prefaces this commission with telling us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, as if that whole rising up from the grave wasn’t enough! 

Let us note that a commission is a charge.  It is a task to which we have been commanded.  All Christ followers receive this commission.  It is our common mission.  The first thing Jesus tells us is to go.  Christianity is not just about going to church to worship.  We do that because we want to praise God.  Christianity is not just about attending a Bible study.  We do that because we want to learn more about God’s Word.  Christianity is about going.  It is about action.  Sometimes, going might make us uncomfortable.

Why might our going make us uncomfortable?  It might be uncomfortable because Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all nations.  The word we translate as nations is ethnos.  We get the word ethnic from this word.  The word ethnos means all people. 

All people?  Does God really want us to make disciples of all people?  I don’t know about you, but that can make me mighty uncomfortable sometimes.  Sometimes I think of this when someone is rude to me, or when I see someone who is blatantly living a mean and rebellious life.  Even those people are included in this command.

We are to teach people to obey the commands of Jesus.  Remember Jesus’ commands?  They are easy to remember – love God and love others.  How do we teach this to everyone?  Well, we can’t teach anyone until we love God and love others.  We can’t pick and choose which days and what times we will love God.  We can’t pick and choose which people we will love.  Uncomfortable yet?!

Don’t stay uncomfortable for very long, because Jesus promised us that he is with us.  We need to stay aware of the presence of Jesus.  His presence is with us through the Holy Spirit.  Today, ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, and then follow!  The Spirit will lead you to someone who is in need of Jesus.  You work with them.  You stand behind them in line at the supermarket.  They live in your neighborhood.  We are on a mission from God!

Posted By Ramón Torres