Month: June 2020

Our scripture this week is Matthew 28:16-20.

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.”
Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus promised to be with us “to the very end of the age” (v. 20). This is the basis of our comfort and strength through our faith in Him. God sends the Holy Spirit, not as a replacement for Christ being with us, but as a new way of knowing both the Father and the Son.

Jesus came to be with us and teach us, now it is up to us to show we are able to live as He asked. He knew we would have issues, living in a world that often rejects His message, but His presence through the Holy Spirit enables us to stand firm. When life seems to make no sense, we can call on Him for aid.

“O Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end” the old hymn says, and that is our charge through the Great Commission to go and make disciples. Our very purpose in being is to serve the risen Savior. This is why Jesus promised to be with us, to help and guide us, that at the end we may be together eternally.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your call on our lives, to share the Good News of Your kingdom everywhere. Make us strong to do the work that is laid out for us. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 28:16-20.

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.”
Matthew 28:16-20

While this is a fairly short passage, it gives us our task for the rest of time: go and make disciples of all nations. We know this as the Great Commission, Christ’s charge to us as His disciples. They were called to follow Him and continue His ministry, and we are responsible for that mission today as well.

The Great Commission tells us to go to the world and baptize all “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (v. 19). It calls us to teach them what Jesus has shared with us. It is wonderfully specific and yet general at the same time.

Jesus has sent us into the world to share His love, using the gifts God has given us for this purpose. We are all blessed with different ways to share our experience of His love with others. May our witness bring the world to Christ that we may all live with Him eternally.

Gracious God, You have given us a duty and the means to accomplish it. Help us to stay focused on that mission, bringing Your light and love to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 28:16-20.

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.”
Matthew 28:16-20

It is hard to assign ranking to any scripture passage as compared to another, all of God’s Word is necessary for us. However this passage has three very important things to tell us – the risen Christ is Lord of all things, we are to go make disciples everywhere, and we have His promise to be with us always.

Jesus wants His disciples to understand who He is, that His authority is from God and it is unlimited. He came to earth to live as a human, to face all the trials and temptations we encounter and for our sake He has endured them all. Now we can live new lives in Him because He has broken sin’s power.

During difficult times and trying circumstances, we need to remember our history and our faith. We are God’s people and we can and must do better than we have. It starts by seeing ourselves and each other as God’s precious creation, loved by Him and saved by Jesus sacrifice.

Loving Lord, we are hurting! There is so much going on that we feel overwhelmed. Help us to see that Your love and light is still the only way to heal our world. Amen.