“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” (NIV) Matthew 28:18-20
The Great Commission is a crucial teaching of Jesus Christ that has significant implications for Christians today. In the books of Matthew and Luke, Jesus instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This commission is not just a call to share the gospel message but also a call to make disciples of all nations, which includes teaching and guiding them in their faith journey.
Matthew 28:18-20 provides a clear account of the Great Commission. Jesus tells his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This statement emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel to every corner of the world and making disciples who will continue to spread the message of Christ.
Similarly, in Luke 24:44-49, Jesus reiterates the message of the Great Commission. He tells his disciples, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
These passages provide the foundation for the Great Commission, which serves as the central mission of the Christian Church. This mission is not just to share the gospel message, but also to make disciples who will continue to spread the message of Christ to others.
As Christians, we are called to be disciples of Christ and to share the good news of his love and grace with others. The Great Commission is not just a call to evangelize but also a call to disciple-making. We are called to guide and teach others in their faith journey and to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.
The Great Commission is not just important to Christians, but it is also significant to the world. The message of the gospel has the power to change lives and transform societies. By sharing the message of Jesus Christ, we can bring hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and love to the unloved.
Other scriptural references also support the Great Commission. For instance, in Mark 16:15, Jesus instructs his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Additionally, in Acts 1:8, Jesus promises his disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and that they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
In conclusion, the Great Commission is a vital commandment given by Jesus Christ to his disciples and to all Christians today. It is a call to action, to share the message of Jesus Christ, to make disciples of all nations, and to be the light of the world. As we strive to fulfill this commission, may we be empowered by the Holy Spirit and inspired by the love of God to make a difference in the world.
God bless you.