Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Introduction
The disciples, who had been with Jesus throughout His ministry, had doubts when they saw the resurrected Jesus. This doubt is not so much about unbelief, but more about the cognitive dissonance that arises from unusual, even unbelievable, circumstances.
Doubt is a part of faith, and it’s okay to have questions and uncertainties. Being a disciple is not just about believing in Jesus, but also about following His teachings and sharing them with others. The Great Commission is not just about spreading the word, but also about teaching others to obey what Jesus has commanded. This underscores the importance of living out the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives.
Historical Background
This passage, often referred to as the Great Commission, is the last recorded encounter of Jesus with his disciples and the final words of Jesus in the Gospel.
The disciples were directed to return to Galilee, where Jesus would meet them. Galilee was where their journey with Jesus began, and it seems to mark a new beginning.
Theological Context
The arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was a deeply disorienting experience for his followers, ruthlessly dashing their hopes and dreams. Seeing Jesus alive after his death, which they naturally assumed had ended everything, must have been utterly astonishing.
Upon seeing Jesus, they worshipped him, but some also doubted. This doubt is not so much about unbelief, but more about the cognitive dissonance that arises from unusual, even unbelievable, circumstances.
Jesus’ Parting Words: Commonly referred to as the Great Commission, Jesus’ parting words frame the basis for the communal identity and life together for the movement that would become the church. He commanded his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This passage is not just about evangelism, but about making disciples and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus commanded during his earthly life. It’s a call to understand our work in the context of the Lordship of Christ, which is part of fulfilling the Great Commission.
Learning Lessons
Faith Amidst Doubt: Even the disciples, who had been with Jesus throughout his ministry, had doubts when they saw the resurrected Jesus. This teaches us that doubt is a part of faith, and it’s okay to have questions and uncertainties.
Universal Outreach: Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations shows that the message of the Gospel is for everyone, regardless of their nationality or background.
Importance of Baptism: Jesus emphasizes baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This highlights the significance of this sacrament in Christian life.
Obedience to Jesus’ Teachings: The Great Commission is not just about spreading the word, but also about teaching others to obey what Jesus has commanded. This underscores the importance of living out the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives.
Jesus’ Presence: Jesus assures his disciples of his continual presence “to the very end of the age”. This is a comforting reminder of Jesus’ unending love and support.
Discipleship: The passage teaches us that being a disciple is not just about believing in Jesus, but also about following his teachings and sharing them with others.
Poem
In the ministry's light, they walked His way,
Disciples of old, in faith and fray.
Yet when before them, the Resurrected lay,
Doubt clouded their minds, in disarray.
Not of unbelief, their hearts did sway,
But of dissonance, in the light of day.
Unusual, unbelievable, in every way,
Yet, it's okay to question, it's okay to say.
Faith, you see, is not just a bay,
Where doubt and questions are kept at bay.
It's a journey, a path, a lifelong play,
Where questions and uncertainties, too, have a say.
To be a disciple, is not just to pray,
But to follow His teachings, come what may.
To share His word, to spread His ray,
To live His commandments, every day.
The Great Commission, is not child's play,
It's not just about spreading the word, come what may.
It's about teaching others, leading the way,
To obey His commandments, without delay.
So, live out His teachings, don't just say,
For actions speak louder, in every way.
Remember, He's with us, come what may,
To the very end of age, as the scriptures say.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come before You, acknowledging our journey of faith, a journey filled with awe, yet shadowed by doubt. We've seen Your works, Your miracles, Your might, yet in the face of the unbelievable, we've known fright.
We confess, O Lord, that doubts have arisen, when faced with the unusual, our faith has been shaken. Yet we know that doubt is not unbelief, but a part of faith, a part of our journey's motif.
We understand, O Lord, that being Your disciple, is not just about belief, but a commitment ample. to follow Your teachings, to share Your word, to live out Your commandments, to make Your voice heard.
The Great Commission, O Lord, we comprehend, is not just about spreading Your word to the world's end. but about teaching others, about showing the way, to obey Your commandments, to not go astray.
Help us, O Lord, to live out Your teachings, to be Your hands and feet, to all who are reaching. To share Your love, Your grace, Your truth, in our daily lives, in old age and youth.
In Your name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
VII : The Passion and Resurrection
THE COMMISSIONING OF THE DISCIPLES
Matthew 28:16-20
Gospel Acclamation
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
Source: Conversation with Copilot
Published:
May 26, 2024, 9:47 AM
