February 28th | Matthew 28

In this chapter, Jesus has resurrected after his gruesome death on the cross and burial in the tomb. He commands the disciples to go to the mountain in Galilee. Verse 17 says, “And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” How is this possible?! How could these men who had been with him throughout his earthly ministry doubt him: they saw healings, miracles of feeding mass crowds, the dead raised to life— How could they not believe that he could raise himself back to life? But, I have to admit that, even for me, sometimes doubt creeps into my mind. We have a choice with our doubts though- give into them or lean into faith. The disciples chose to rely on faith and not their doubts.

Jesus wraps up this chapter with one last command for the disciples. This one last thing is pivotal in the disciples ministry and it is the reason that we are believers today. Without the Great Commission- you and I would have never heard the good news of Jesus. Here’s what he commanded:

• Go therefore and make disciples of all nations: what is the therefore referring to? In verse 18 Jesus told the disciples that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to him. Because he has the authority in heaven and earth; he is the ruler of all things– this is what compels us to go and tell others about him. We can’t just settle telling our neighbors, either. This is a call to the nations. ALL NATIONS need to hear about our God.
• Baptizing them and teaching them to observe all I have commanded: We like to baptize people, but we often fail at the teaching them part. Churches like to dunk people and give a number of how many people they “saved” each year. But, Jesus calls us to more than than. He wants his people to know his commands and to follow them. How can his people know his commands unless they are discipled? The local church and believers must teach the word.
• And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age: How could the disciples do what he just had commanded them in the Great Commission? They/we can do it because HE is with us. We can bold, courageous, and stand strong because we know he will never leave us or forsake us as we seek to serve and live for him.