Invite others to a Relationship with Christ

Introduction

This is the recognizable account of Jesus commissioning His disciples before His ascension to return to the Father in heaven. All the other Gospels speak of this event but it is Matthew’s account that is probably the most well-known. It is referred to as the Great Commission and was not only for those in attendance on the mountain in Galilee, but for all believers.

Every “born again” believer has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to complete the task of what we have been commissioned to do. Spreading the gospel is not a suggestion but a commandment to “go and make disciples.” Furthermore, The apostle Paul received a personal commission from Jesus on the road to Damascus. We know that Paul became a great servant for the Lord Jesus Christ and wrote almost half the New Testament as the voice of God. We have been given the personal assignment of sharing the good news of Jesus and its life changing hope that only comes from Creator God.

As believers, we are to be on mission with God and declare His saving message to everyone we meet.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When someone in authority gives you an assignment, what is your initial response? Yessir, I'll get right on that. Or do you complain, “Who do they think they are telling me to do something that they can very well do themselves?” In the business world, we must follow a chain of command whether we like it or not to remain employed. As the saying goes, “We may not like the person, but we must respect the position.” We all have choices to make every day about what we want to do or what is best to do. In verses 16-17, we read about the resurrected Jesus meeting the “eleven disciples in Galilee where Jesus had directed them.” Upon His appearance, they had a natural response to worship Him. Scholars debate on whether other followers were present because some struggled to understand what was happening. Matthew does not tell us about His Jerusalem appearances to the disciples as John does. He is more interested in showing that the promise of Jesus in Matthew 26:32 was fulfilled.

There will always be doubters even when miracles are performed in one’s presence. Jesus came and spoke to them, not as a ghost, but with a powerful message as the Son of God with “all authority in heaven and on earth.” Jesus had defeated death and Satan on the cross and His authority was unquestioned. Jesus gave a direct mandate to “make disciples of all nations,” meaning to go and share the gospel with all people groups. This was not a suggestion but a command. However, Jesus does not force anyone to do anything as no one can be forced to follow Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that God is self-sufficient and needs nothing from His greatest creation, but desires a relationship with anyone who will believe (John 3:16). It is this familiar Scripture that proves God’s love for us and that He shows no partiality to anyone. Grace and forgiveness is available to all.

Jesus gave the commission for all of us as we go or better yet, as we are going, to teach Jesus to all nations. The disciple making progress involves baptizing new followers of Christ and giving instructions on what it means to live as a disciple. Scripture indicates baptism is not necessary for salvation. But it is necessary for obedience, and obedience is necessary for joy and fruitfulness in the Christian life. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision of living for Christ. The person is making a public declaration by baptism of burying their “old self” and identifying with Christ as being “raised to walk in the newness of life” (Rom. 6:4-5). Through baptism, new believers are assimilating into the body of Christ and identifying with the community of believers by acknowledging full authority of the triune God as the God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

To make disciples reminds us that disciples are made and not spontaneously created at conversion; they are the product of a process of involving other believers. We are commanded to teach new believers to observe all the things of Christ so that they may become more effective followers of Christ. However, Jesus did not send His disciples to fulfill the mission alone. He promised His continuous presence at all times, in all places, or until Jesus comes again. Amen and hallelujah! Questions - Who helped you to understand what it means to be a follower of Christ and who continues to help you today?