The Kingdom, Part 5

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Before His ascension back into heaven Jesus spoke the above verses. He states that “all authority has been given to Him”. Now if Jesus truly is the King above all kings and the Lord of all, then what He says next is not a suggestion, it’s a command.

The command is simple, go and make disciples. As we are making disciples we should be baptizing them and teaching them to observe, and obey, all that Jesus commanded. A disciple isn’t just a “learner”, a disciple is one who is learning in order to do. Jesus’ disciples learned from Jesus and then they did what He taught them to do, they made disciples.

This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a follower of the king and a citizen of His kingdom. In , verses 14-30, Jesus tells a parable about this. In the parable, Jesus is the man who has gone on a journey and put His servants in charge of doing business in His absence. The servants are Jesus’ followers, who, upon the His return, are called to give an account of what they’ve done with the “talents” (the gospel and opportunities to serve Him) that they were given. Did they do the work of the king while he was gone or not? Some hear “well done good and faithful servant”, but the one who did nothing hears, “you wicked and slothful servant!”

Here’s the deal, Jesus is coming back; the King is returning one day and when He does I want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Question: Are you truly a follower of Jesus and doing kingdom work while He’s gone?

Challenge: Is serving God a grateful response for all that He’s done for you?

Prayer: King Jesus, use me in ways you see fit to grow and expand your kingdom.