Fully Devoted: JesusSample

His Last Words

Jesus, the risen Son of God, was born in a manger, executed on a cross, and raised from the dead in a garden. Now He’s standing on a mountain, preparing to ascend into heaven to return to His Father. But before He does, He has a few last words of instruction and encouragement to offer His disciples. 

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. Matthew 28:16-17

Quick sidenote: How strange is it that while some of the disciples worshiped Jesus, some doubted? You’d think that standing on a mountain with Jesus after He walked out of His own tomb would take any doubts away. But that’s not what Matthew tells us. He wants us to know that some of the disciples doubted. Why? Because Matthew wants us to know that doubt is not a disqualifier to discipleship. God is big enough for our questions and secure enough for our doubts. He is always willing to receive our questions with grace and our wrestling with empathy. When you have questions and doubts, don’t try to hide them or deny them. Bring your questions to God. Process your doubts with people you trust. And keep following Jesus. Doubts don’t make you a bad Christian. They make you human. Okay, back to the Bible. 

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.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

These words from Jesus are known as the Great Commission. Jesus was passing the torch of His ministry to His disciples. He was entrusting them to carry on the mission that He had started: announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God and inviting everyone everywhere to be a part of it. 

He begins by telling us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. On the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities of this world and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). We can have confidence knowing that we have been called and commissioned by the true King of Creation. 

Next, He tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. God’s plan has always been to bring all of humanity back into a right relationship with Him. Through Jesus, His Kingdom is taking root, and through us, His disciples, His Kingdom will be advanced. The primary method of advancing the Kingdom of God is making disciples of all nations. What does that mean? It means inviting everyone everywhere to place their trust in Jesus and to dedicate their lives to His Kingdom. 

The process of making disciples looks like baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us. Baptism is the public declaration that we have become disciples of Jesus. And as people become disciples of Jesus, it’s our job to help them learn and obey everything Jesus has commanded.  

Finally, Jesus tells us that He will be with us always, to the very end of the age. Even though He left us physically, He left His Spirit here with us. Everywhere we go, as disciples of Jesus, His Spirit goes with us because His Spirit fills us. 

These are the last words of Jesus. And as His disciples, it’s our job to get to work. Because the rule and reign of God has taken root in history. His Kingdom is growing slowly, one new disciple at a time, and it’s not stopping. Every community of believers is an outpost of heaven laying siege on the forces of hell. Every baptism is another pledge of allegiance to the Lord of all the Earth. Every sin confessed and wrong forgiven is another demonstration of the power of God here on earth as it is in heaven. 

This is our mission. To make disciples, build the Church, and conquer hell. 

Journaling Questions

• What verse or passage stands out to you the most from today’s reading? Write it in your journal.
• Do you feel like you have a responsibility to make disciples? Why or why not? 
• What are some things you have done or you could do to help other people become disciples of Jesus?