For Them Or All

Matthew 28:16-20  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”


Today is Ascension Day and we remember the day that Jesus ascended to heaven before the eyes of the disciples. This day is a day of triumph for Jesus as the resurrected one returns to heaven and picks up the divinity he set aside to be born human. W could find enough meaning for the day in just this wonderful note of triumph. God wins. But today is also the day we hear the last words of Jesus resounding through time. The words of what the church calls the great commission continue to be the timeless words of Jesus partly because they were his last earthly words. The words spoken to the disciples during the night we call the Last Supper are others that for me leap out in importance. I'm not minimizing all the other words and teaching that was given by Jesus during his ministry, but I have always thought certainly he would say only important words when he knew his time was very short. On this occasion Jesus gives instructions to the disciples about what they are now commissioned to do. I think even among these words we sometimes misplace the emphasis. I think the church has put the focus on "baptizing all nations", and neglected the "teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you". He didn't want just a body count of how many people have been baptized, but rather to make disciples who follow his teaching and his commands. I don't think he thought the those few disciples were going to make disciples of all nations. That would be the context if those words were only aimed at the disciples present with him on that mountain in Galilee. No I believe he wanted those words to be the commission for all of us as well. Not just words for a few but words for all believers. In order to fulfill Jesus last words we must first be willing to learn all he taught and commanded, and then to teach others all he taught and commanded, so they too can be disciples. He wants everyone to be included, the whole world. Are you ready to hear and live by his last words? Well start or continue learning and teaching!!