When my father graduated college, he also received his commission into the military. He had received instruction and was now endowed with the authority to carry out his part in the mission. Jesus lived and walked amongst us showing us how to live. Before His ascension, He gave some words of instruction and commissioned His people.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
A commission is defined as the act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty. Jesus, who has all authority, has passed on to us the authority to carry out His mission. We have been given our marching orders. That seems kind of important. Am I taking it seriously?
Jesus said that ALL authority was His - encompassing both heaven and earth. Satan can only do what is allowed. He affirms His authority, and thereby our success, and says, “Go.“
What is the charge?
Go make disciples. What He didn’t say was to argue people into intellectual agreement, or have them repeat a formula prayer or even stand up and say I believe. Go make disciples, which are passionate followers of Jesus. Discipleship is relational, its sacrificial, it’s messy, it’s time consuming – and it is effective for world change. Making disciples is God’s command – not a strategy suggestion.
Where do these disciples come from?
All nations. That includes me – and you, and your neighbor that bothers you and the stranger across the world. For them it was not just for the Jew – and that was radical. Our call is no less radical. All is all – including our enemies.
What do we do with these disciples?
Baptize them – in the Trinity, acknowledging God is with us in all three Persons. They are welcomed into the family, receiving the family name and submitting to His authority. He dwells in us to take on the mission and now dwells in them to further it.
Teach them - how often do we stop at “conversion.” Discipleship entails teaching, and not just theology but teaching them to observe the commandments. Let me say this again because I think we so often miss this – it’s about teaching obedience! And we teach obedience not just by what should be done – but by showing how to do it. That’s how Jesus did it. Modeling. This is discipleship.
How am I going to accomplish it? In His power and by His authority. He is with me always. He, who showed us how to do it, stays with us and continues to teach us and show us.
Lord, You have all authority and have commissioned Your people in bringing the Kingdom. Help me be faithful in making disciples, to live a life of obedience and encourage others to do the same. I'm grateful and empowered that You go with me, strengthening and teaching me along the way.
[1] https://www.thefreedictionary.com/commission
