Matthew 28:19, 20 - Jesus Gives The Great Commission. [addendum]
Matthew 28:19, 20 - Jesus Gives The Great Commission. [addendum]
Matthew 28:19, 20 (NKJV) 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, 20 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.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY APPLICATIONS [see previous devotionals for
further study]
The last words of many famous people have been recorded and
pondered. Final statements from the lips of the dying become a rich source
for everything from term paper quotations to attention grabbers in
sermons.
This last passage of Matthew contains Jesus' famous last
words. But unlike the somber, reflective words of a dying man, Christ's
words have a triumphant ring to them. That's because he has overcome
death and has faithfully completed the task given to him by his
Father. As Jesus prepares to return to his Father, he gives his
disciples their final mission. As you read, listen carefully to Jesus'
commission to his disciples (and you)--to reach the world for him.
Review Matthew 26 - 28
Just before leaving the earth, Jesus gave his disciples some
final instructions: "Go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19).
Although Jesus gave this command to the disciples present at
his ascension into heaven, it still applies to all believers today.
Every disciple needs to make other disciples, to tell others about
Jesus and his invitation to receive him as Savior and Lord. Some
imagine that the job of sharing the good news about Christ falls mainly
to full-time evangelists, but that's not what Jesus said on that
mountain. Any method of communicating the gospel, any means of helping
people feel or recognize their need for Christ, any help to others
taking steps of faith makes disciples. Jesus didn't limit the spreading
of the Good News to formal presentations in front of crowds. All
believers can communicate the news about Christ, and we all have gifts
that we can use to tell his story in a significant way. [The One Year
Through the Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman re Matthew 28:16-20]
My dad never really had a dad. In 1926, when my father was
two years old, his father deserted the family, leaving his wife to
raise four kids as best she could. Money was tight, and when my dad
was just six years old, he went to work with his older brother every
morning at three to deliver bread.
Later, when my father had his own four sons, he had no
fathering compass. Yet in his heart, he knew it was his job to "break the
cycle." So we joined a church. Unfortunately, this particular church
wasn't in the business of making disciples; it was all about activity.
My dad's strong work ethic fit right in, and he became the church's
top lay leader. But as a worker who had never been discipled, he was
soon used up and cast aside. We left the church, and my brothers and
I paid the price: Two of us became high school dropouts (I was one
of them). There were also struggles with alcoholism, addiction, and
divorce. One of my brothers died of a heroin overdose.
In the end, it took two generations to break the cycle--and
then only because my own family found a church that took seriously
Jesus' commission to make and train an entire world of disciples--
including me. Only then could I be a godly man, husband, and father. Only
then could I lead my own children--and parents--to Christ and dedicate
my life to making and training new disciples.
Patrick Morley, inspirational speaker and leadership trainer,
is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Man in the Mirror, a ministry
to men. He is the author of twelve books, including the landmark
best seller The Man in the Mirror. [The One Year Bible Live Verse
Devotional re Mat. 28:18-20]
John Ortberg writes, "One of the most basic laws of life is
rhythm."
He describes a young mother who regrets that she isn't able
to carve out times of solitude with the Lord as she once did, now
that she has responsibility for the daily care of two young children.
Yet, Ortberg says, caring for her children with prayers and gratitude
"might become a kind of school for transformation into powerful
servant-hood beyond anything she had ever known."
Life is rhythm. The seasons of life continue.
In our ever-changing circumstances, we find seasons within
our souls as well. We experience times of desolation and
consolation. At times we feel dry spiritually. Other times we sense the
presence of the Lord in even the tiniest details of life.
Ortberg quotes C. S. Lewis on the seasons when God withdraws
his presence: "He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs--to
carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish."
That's when, we're told by many spiritual guides, growth is
most likely to occur. Life is rhythm. Life is adventure. Life is
catching the wind in our sails, the wind that comes when it pleases.
Ortberg contrasts a motorboat and a sailboat. Piloting a
motorboat, we're in control. In a sailboat, we're completely dependent on
the wind. If the wind doesn't come, we stay put. We have to catch
the wind. It's the same with spiritual transformation.
Everything depends on catching the wind of the Spirit. "Moses
didn't ask for or arrange for the burning bush," Ortberg writes. "But
once it was there, he had to make a choice. God's responsibility is
to provide the burning bush. Ours is to turn aside and pay
attention to the work of God."
Holy Spirit, I long to feel your breeze on my face,
refreshing me and lifting me into your purposes and plan. Let me be alert
to whatever you are doing in me, and to obey whether I feel your
presence or not.
[Jesus said,] "I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Matthew 28:20 NLT [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold
Myra]
Go teaching and preaching out of your living experience with
Christ. [In His Time; My Utmost For His Highest re Mat.28:18,19]
GREAT LINKS RELATED TO THIS BIBLE PASSAGE:
My Last Tract: http://mrmom.amaonline.com/stories/mylasttract.htm
Johnny The Bagger: http://www.stservicemovie.com/
