Matthew 28:18-20: “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.”

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples just prior to ascending into heaven. These were His final words on the earth. Jesus had been crucified by the Roman government in response to influence of the Jewish religious leaders. According to a worldly viewpoint, it wouldn’t seem like Jesus had all authority. But He had overcome the power of death and was now resurrected. He demonstrated His authority over everything by conquering death and the grave. Since the ultimate threat of any worldly power is death, and Jesus defeated death, no worldly power could threaten Him. 

Based on this truth, Jesus commissioned His disciples with a very clear goal: “Go make disciples.” Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth, but this didn’t mean the church didn’t face opposition. Far from it. The Roman Empire and the Jewish leaders continued to oppress the church. Throughout all of history, the church has been oppressed by political and social powers that sought to limit or eliminate it. But throughout the ages, the church has survived and THRIVED. 

Our hope has never been based on our standing with the political powers of the day. Nor is it based on the popularity of the message of God’s Word with the culture. Our hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus. We show that we believe this truth when we obey this great commission and make disciples. The enemy and the world know they can never eliminate the church. Their strategy is to either intimidate us to keep quiet about the truth of the Gospel, or distract us from our calling and get us entangled in meaningless arguments that keep us from making disciples. Paul said it this way in Titus 3:9: “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.”

Let’s make the Great Commission our personal commission and make disciples. Find ways you can communicate the love of Jesus to those around you. Tell someone how you have been influenced by your relationship with Jesus. Share practical help as a demonstration of God’s grace in you. Pray for those you interact with. All of us have a role to play in fulfilling the Great Commission, and as we work together as a church, we can see the fruit of it through changed lives.