Mission: Obedience
I learned about obedience at a very young age. My parents and grandparents were great guardians and leaders in my life. They taught me right from wrong. I learned to respect people in authority. I also learned to discern when someone was leading me in the wrong direction.
Jesus had spent the last three years with His disciples. He poured knowledge and insight into His Father. He showed them how to teach. He showed them how to live.
He is now about to leave and return to the Father. It had to be a hard moment. His final words to them are often referred to as “The Great Commission”. Check this out….
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)
He reminded them of His authority first. Jesus didn’t teach from a position of power. He did, however, teach from a position of authority. (He could have asserted His Power AND authority, but He didn’t.)
He told them to go.
He told them to make disciples.
He told them to baptize these new disciples.
He told them to teach these new disciples about obedience.
The last thing He told them was likely the most important. He reminded them that He would be Present with them. His Presence was a powerful promise and He fulfilled it. At the time, I feel like His disciples couldn’t comprehend all that had happened with His death and His resurrection. They were likely having a tough time comprehending Him leaving earth in a physical sense for good. He gave them the instructions for carrying on the work He had begun with them and in them.
This commission is for me today. The Gospel message should come from me. I should influence others and make disciples. I should baptize and teach the new disciples. I should remember the power of His Presence. His Presence in me is still changing the direction of my life each day that I live for Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne