John Piper On What Jesus Demands From The WorldSample

Make Disciples of All Nations 

The term missions is common in Christian circles. Typically, missions refers to the sending of Christian workers for the purpose of evangelism and discipleship among the nations. What motivates this work of missions? Many secular critics argue that missions work is intolerant, misguided, and negatively influences indigenous peoples by introducing foreign beliefs and cultures. However, the true motivation and aim of Christian missions is worship (1). Notice that immediately before Jesus commissions His followers, verse 17 reports that “when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” You see, Jesus demands worshipers to go and make disciples of all nations, disciples who also will see and worship Jesus as the risen, reigning Lord. 

The Great Commission has been the theme of countless sermons and conference messages and has inspired numerous people to leave their homes, jobs, and loved ones to make Christ known among the nations. These verses include clear direction and motivation for the missionary task, not only for the apostles but also for each generation of Christ-followers after them. Jesus’ authority in heaven and on earth was not limited to the apostolic period, and neither was His promise to be “with you always, to the end of the age.” So it follows that Jesus’ demand “make disciples of all nations” continues to be crucially relevant for Jesus’ followers until He returns at the end of this age.

Jesus declares why He makes such sweeping demands from the world and also how He does so. The basis for Jesus’ demands comes in verse 18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The word therefore in verse 19 indicates that Jesus’ command follows from His claim to have total authority. 

It is significant that Jesus lays claim on the nations indirectly through His followers, who are His witnesses in the world. Jesus did not write any books. Rather, Jesus taught His disciples about the kingdom of God and gave them instructions for forty days, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, and then He ascended into heaven to sit at His Father’s right hand. Jesus commissions and empowers His followers to go make disciples of all nations. Muslims and materialists, Hindus and hedonists, everyone must hear that Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth, that He offers forgiveness of sins, and that He calls us to follow Him and obey all His commands.

Jesus sends His disciples to be His ambassadors among all nations, to boldly testify to the truth and to personally represent Him. He says in Luke 10:16, “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” This means that many will reject the claim that all authority belongs to Jesus, and consequently they will reject, scorn, and hate Jesus’ emissaries. Opposition should not surprise or deter us because Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth and He has promised to be with us forever to ensure that His Great Commission is fulfilled.

For more information on the What Jesus Demands from the World Bible Study, please visit LifeWay.com/WhatJesusDemands.