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Thoughts on the Gospel, Life, and Ministry
I chose not to comment on chapter 27 because I wanted it to speak for itself. There is much to say about Jesus’ sufferings, rejection, and crucifixion, and we will cover those things in great detail later in our reading of the New Testament. As you read chapter 27, my prayer was, and is, that the reality of the King’s humble sacrifice sinks deep into your soul and touches you with his amazing grace and love.
Chapter 28 is AWESOME! I can’t emphasize that enough. It is the story of our hope. It is the reason for which we live our lives. It is the reality of our everlasting confidence in our Great God! HE’S NOT DEAD! HE IS ALIVE!
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen as he said” (28:5).
All Authority Is Given to Me
Because Jesus was raised from the dead he has all authority on heaven and earth. It has been “given to him” (28:18). That means he has authority over everything in our lives, that he has authority over our lives. There is nothing outside of his authority. And, there is no limit to his power. There is no need for us to fear life. There is no need for us to question his presence in our lives. There is no need for us to wonder if he can do all that he has promised, or if he has the authority to do what he has promised. He does! Trust and submit to him.
As You are Going
Verse 19 is the most familiar verse in chapter 28. It is the beginning of what we know as “the Great Commission.” Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” We often read this as an imperative telling us to “go” into all the nations. But, Jesus actually instructs his disciples (and us) to be about the business of disciple making “as we are going” into all the world daily.
Jesus assumes that we will be out and about in the world in which we live. He assumes that we will have jobs, have neighbors, have families, etc. And, he instructs us that while we’re living our lives among our families, our co-workers, and our neighbors to be about the king’s business of making disciples, of interacting with people for Jesus. This isn’t just a “missionary” command, it is a “disciple” command. It is for everyone who calls upon the name of Christ and follows him. Jesus says, “As you are going (living your daily lives) make disciples of all people.”
Are we fulfilling this command with our lives? Are you living your life daily in such a way to introduce people to Christ and encourage them to come to him? What an amazing privilege and call we receive at the end of Matthew’s Gospel! It demands a response. What is yours?
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