Go!
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the
mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.”
Go. This one two-letter English word is powerful in its simplicity. In the NT Greek, the word is πορεύομαι (por-eu-o-mai). A word with more letters, and perhaps a little more depth. In addition to meaning "go," it also means "to travel; to move a considerable distance." It speaks of a journey -- think more of a road trip than an occasional trip to the grocery store.
A command given by Jesus
The person giving the command is Jesus. Jesus is the Lord, the one uniquely representing the authority of the kingdom of heaven ("all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me"). When he speaks, God speaks. It matters that Jesus the Lord is the one who gives this command. He is our singular authority in the church. My high school basketball coach was known to exert his authority by telling his players "when I say 'jump' you say "how high?" When Jesus says "go" we say "how far?" The great thing about Jesus is that he promises to be with us through it all - surely he is with us always to the very end. "How far" is never beyond his comforting and empowering presence.
His "commencement address"
Jesus gives this command to his disciples after he has risen from the dead but before he ascends into heaven. While some call it Jesus' "last will and testament," I think it's better to think of it as a commencement speech...after all, it's about commencing (starting to move in a particular direction). It's about what the disciples are to do when Jesus is in heaven, and so it functions as the definitive statement on the purpose of the church. It's how the movement will continue and grow and regenerate. Disciples making disciples who make disciples who make disciples...all through baptism and instruction in Jesus' words.
Provides motion for a massive movement
The Christian movement needs motion. Disciple-making is the engine that makes the whole operation go. When the church is stagnant, there's a good chance that there's not much "go-ing" going on in response to Jesus' command. Attention to disciple-making is a key to ongoing renewal in the church. And the scope of the mission is massive - making disciples of all nations. This means all people groups on the globe, with all of the attendant diversity. The Jesus movement is intended for ALL people.
Points our actions in a particular direction
Making disciples. It's really what the gospel of Matthew has been about all along. Jesus calls people to follow him; in following him they become his disciples, his students, his learners. Then he teaches these disciples. Then he invites them along as he continues his mission on earth - feeding, healing, teaching, forgiving. Then back to school to reflect on the experience and learn deeper truths. Then back to the mission, and so on. There are so many things to do in this world - our society is full of options. How could we decide what was most important if Jesus hadn't already spoken? Good thing he has!
Requires self-evaluation and renewed obedience
A few good questions to ask:
Next episode:
#2 Sent in Love
Go. This one two-letter English word is powerful in its simplicity. In the NT Greek, the word is πορεύομαι (por-eu-o-mai). A word with more letters, and perhaps a little more depth. In addition to meaning "go," it also means "to travel; to move a considerable distance." It speaks of a journey -- think more of a road trip than an occasional trip to the grocery store.
A command given by Jesus
The person giving the command is Jesus. Jesus is the Lord, the one uniquely representing the authority of the kingdom of heaven ("all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me"). When he speaks, God speaks. It matters that Jesus the Lord is the one who gives this command. He is our singular authority in the church. My high school basketball coach was known to exert his authority by telling his players "when I say 'jump' you say "how high?" When Jesus says "go" we say "how far?" The great thing about Jesus is that he promises to be with us through it all - surely he is with us always to the very end. "How far" is never beyond his comforting and empowering presence.
His "commencement address"
Jesus gives this command to his disciples after he has risen from the dead but before he ascends into heaven. While some call it Jesus' "last will and testament," I think it's better to think of it as a commencement speech...after all, it's about commencing (starting to move in a particular direction). It's about what the disciples are to do when Jesus is in heaven, and so it functions as the definitive statement on the purpose of the church. It's how the movement will continue and grow and regenerate. Disciples making disciples who make disciples who make disciples...all through baptism and instruction in Jesus' words.
Provides motion for a massive movement
The Christian movement needs motion. Disciple-making is the engine that makes the whole operation go. When the church is stagnant, there's a good chance that there's not much "go-ing" going on in response to Jesus' command. Attention to disciple-making is a key to ongoing renewal in the church. And the scope of the mission is massive - making disciples of all nations. This means all people groups on the globe, with all of the attendant diversity. The Jesus movement is intended for ALL people.
Points our actions in a particular direction
Making disciples. It's really what the gospel of Matthew has been about all along. Jesus calls people to follow him; in following him they become his disciples, his students, his learners. Then he teaches these disciples. Then he invites them along as he continues his mission on earth - feeding, healing, teaching, forgiving. Then back to school to reflect on the experience and learn deeper truths. Then back to the mission, and so on. There are so many things to do in this world - our society is full of options. How could we decide what was most important if Jesus hadn't already spoken? Good thing he has!
Requires self-evaluation and renewed obedience
A few good questions to ask:
- How have I journeyed to make disciples?
- How am I contributing to my congregation's disciple-making efforts?
- Going?
- Baptizing?
- Teaching?
- What might Jesus have in mind for me to do with respect to disciple-making in my life and among those I relate to regularly?
- What does Jesus' "Go!" mean for me today? How might I respond in obedience?
Next episode:
#2 Sent in Love