Matthew 28:16-20 The Great Commission
“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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.”
Well, the disciples obey the instructions the angel at the tomb has given the women and go to Galilee, to a particular mountain. The actual location of this mountain is unknown because some of the Gospels mention the Mount of Olives. Matthew indicates that there is a mountain in Gali lee. John, the disciple closest to Jesus, describes a fishing expedition on the Sea of Galilee but then fails to mention the Ascension at all.
The actual location of Jesus’ ascension is not as important as his final instructions to his disciples. The interesting observation mentioned in passing here is that while the disciples worshiped Jesus, “some doubted.” Say what??? Jesus is standing right there in the flesh and some of the disciples are still DOUBTING??? They can touch Jesus and hear him speak and they are still doubting?
At any rate, Jesus isn’t worried because He knows that the Holy Spirit is soon coming, and the disciples will never be the same again, even the ones who are now doubting. Let’s look at Jesus’ orders.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” As the risen Messiah, Jesus no longer must use parables but speaks plainly. Jesus is now the Risen and Glorified Son of God with all the divine authority of His Heavenly Father.
“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…” Jesus has spent the last three years teaching the disciples and now it’s their turn. As modern disciples, we have the same mandate and the same orders. If we are truly to be Jesus’ disciples, we must study all the things he has commanded us.
“lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” As disciples, we can rest in the knowledge that Jesus will always be with us and that God the Father and God the Holy Spirit will always be there to guide us, encourage us, and strengthen us. We can go forth as disciples knowing that God is always with us. May God help us to trust, to obey, and to go forward making disciples throughout the rest of our lives!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and help us to continue to fulfill the Great Commission. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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