Matthew chapter 28, verses 16 to 20 states:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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.”
What does this passage tell us about the nature of God?
Even if God/Jesus is present, there are some people who doubt him. This passage on the Great Commission is partly a response by Jesus to those who doubted. Jesus starts off by emphasising that he has the authority from God the Father. In sending and commanding the disciples to go forth, he was authorising them with the ultimate power from the heavenly source.
In this way, Jesus is showing that God wants to connect with all people, all nations. To go forth and spread the Good News was to also bring God’s presence from the source of heaven to all people here on earth.
Jesus was also assuring the disciples that he, having been given all authority, would also be with them all the time. In this way, he was encouraging them to know that he/God would constantly be there to help them in the work he was setting them to.
We are tasked with work all the time. Not all work is given with instruction where the directive has the kind of authority from God in heaven. As disciples of Jesus already, they were receiving instruction here to continue and reproduce everything Jesus had instilled into them, and to encourage others to join them in believing and living in the same culture and lifestyle that Jesus had called them to.
The work that Jesus/God had also called the disciples to pursue was not impossible. God doesn’t ask the impossible of us. The Great Commission demonstrates God's love and compassion for all people. By calling on us to share the gospel with all nations and make disciples of all people, we can see that God desires for all people to know him and have a relationship with him.
Further, the Great Commission highlights God's sovereignty and control over all things. God is in control of the spread of the gospel message. Reaching the nations is according to his plan and timing. This passage emphasises the centrality of Jesus in God's plan for salvation. It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus that people can have salvation and eternal life, and it is through the gospel message that people can come to know him.
Overall, the Great Commission tells us that God is a loving and compassionate God who desires for all people to know him, that he is in control of all things and that he has given his followers the authority and power to carry out his mission.
What does this passage tell us about people?
The disciples themselves were ordinary people. Just as God doesn’t stretch us beyond our human capability, all he seeks from us is to be our normal selves. We don’t have to be something more than who we already are – God calls people as they are to do his work.
We are not alone. We have God/Jesus with us. As mentioned earlier, Jesus promises us that he will be with us as we go about serving him and the Kingdom. As part of what we are called to teach others, obedience to his commandments is given special mention. This passage emphasizes the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others and teaching them to follow him.
The Great Commission highlights the universality of God's love and the fact that all people, regardless of their background or circumstances, can become followers of Jesus. Every person has inherent worth and dignity, as they are called to be part of God's kingdom; this is also a recent topic that I was reflecting on from Sunday preaching where God created all people and it was good (originally).
Additionally, the Great Commission emphasises the responsibility of us as Christians to be active in sharing the gospel and making disciples. It calls us to be proactive and intentional when we spread the message of salvation, rather than simply waiting for others to come to faith on their own.
Overall, the Great Commission gives us a clear understanding of the mission of the church and the role of individual believers in spreading the gospel to all people. The church is more than just a place or building – after all, it is the people that make up the church.
Conclusion
As we apply this passage in Matthew to our lives, we can go forth in confidence, knowing that as we live out a life in obedience to God, we do so with God not just leading us but he, as Holy Spirit, is also right there with us on the journey.