Matthew 28:18-20 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.”

This passage is right up there with the Christmas story and the Sermon on the Mount in terms of famous passages in Matthew. That said, it is ignored by a distressing percentage of Christians. You could call this “handing off the baton,” from Jesus’ earthly ministry to that of the disciples, and by extension, to that of every believer since. As such, its importance cannot be overstated. Jesus starts by mentioning authority. On the 14^th of this month we had the incident where the religious “authorities” questioned Jesus’ authority to do what He was doing, and here He lays it out clearly. All means all! We never have to question whether we have the right to do something, if we are acting in obedience to Jesus. That’s why autocratic governments can’t stand Christianity, and are indeed, terrified of it, so they persecute it however they can. That’s not at all to say that believers are unfettered by the laws of the country they live in, but rather that we are to obey a higher law, whatever the consequences. The next thing Jesus brings up is what He wants us to do with His authority, and that is to make disciples of the people of all nations. That includes whatever nation we live in, so this doesn’t mean every believer has to go to some other country, but it does mean that national and racial prejudice are forbidden. Here too, all means all. My younger daughter lives in Washington State, where dozens of languages are spoken by residents. She can do “foreign missions” every time she leaves the house! Every human being was created by God and is an object of His loving grace. Accordingly, every human being is a potential disciple, and we are to relate to them that way. We need to remember that discipleship isn’t just a matter of words, but of actions and lifestyle. In our teaching others to be obedient to Jesus, we need to lead by example. And then Jesus reminds us that we aren’t on our own in doing all this – He is right here with us. This passage is both immensely challenging and immensely comforting. God has set an incredible task in front of us, but He will enable us to do it, and bless us immensely in the process.

Growing up in a missionary home in Japan, the Great Commission was woven into every part of our lives. Along with that was the awareness that this takes a different form in each person’s life. My father did a short-term missions trip to Cuba while he was in seminary, but he felt clearly that he was to serve in Japan. While still single and studying the language, he was able to visit China and experienced the Shantung Revival, and was encouraged to minister there, instead of Japan, but God had made his assignment clear to him, and he was obedient. My wife was aware of her calling to missions from the time she was 12, and at 13, the Lord made it clear it was to be Japan. For myself, I’m just ministering where I was born and raised, but I have baptized people of several different nations right here. My focus is to be on the “disciples” part of this, and know that I can’t do it on my own, but God can do it through me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that You never tell us to do anything for which You don’t equip and empower us. May I be Your agent to equip and empower the believers around me, so that together we may accomplish all that You desire of us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!