By Rev. J.Loren Russell
Matthew 28:19-20:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
What has become known as the Great Commission was given after Resurrection Sunday. It gave those who followed Christ their marching orders. It is what’s responsible for the inception and the growth of the church. Had it not been for this commission, there would be no church.
The eleven disciples went into Galilee as they were instructed. From the text we know that they had some reservation and apprehension, but they went anyway. There they met Christ, just like He promised. Had they not gone, they could not have received the commission.
When they met Him in the upper room, they worshiped Him. Even though they were looking at Jesus post resurrection, the Bible says that “some doubted.” Although we don’t know which of the disciples doubted, we do know that there was doubt. Yet, they made themselves available. Although there was doubts and they were flawed, the Lord looks for and uses your availability, not simply your ability. (I wonder if you or I would have believed?)
But in spite of their doubt, He gives them The Great Commission. In spite of their doubt, He trusted that they would accomplish the task of reaching the world with His gospel. Mark 16:29 says, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”
The Commission was originally given to the eleven disciples, but now is the responsibility of the believers in the 21st century. In the USA, we have a population of 325,961,978 (and counting), and 261,095,544 of them are without a relationship with Christ (80.1%). Based on these statistics, nearly everyone we know and/or will meet needs to be discipled. The promise that accompanied the Commission was that Jesus would always be with us. We are definitely going to need Him.
Today, we are reminded of the day of the Commission, and of our duty to go and make disciples!
Make it a Blessed Resurrection Sunday!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting; and host of “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen here or by phone at 626-226-1448. Be sure to friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook, Twitter @jlorenr, and email at matteroffaith.mof@gmail.com.
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