Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20]
Interesting how Jesus includes heaven in his declaration.
It is a reminder to all of us of the timeless divinity and sovereignty of Christ.
Also noteworthy is the mention that some worshiped but some doubted.
I just love Matthew's honesty in this passage.
He wanted us to know that even some who saw Jesus after the resurrection doubted.
Believing in Jesus is not a matter of intellectual logic but one of a humble heart.
In the context of "all authority" Jesus commissions those then, and we now, to make disciples.
Most of his own mission on earth was spent discipling uneducated people.
The Lord was basically saying to "do what I did":
- reach out to the poor - he was always seeking them out;
- go to the harlots - he welcomed one who anointed his feet;
- invite tax collectors - he made one of them an apostle;
- baptize them and watch their lives change as you share my teachings with them.
The Holy Spirit will go with them giving them lessons to share.
In that sense he was with them, and is with us, to death and beyond.
Lord, give me a heart for people and fill my mouth words as we cross paths.
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
Doubt can be an effective road to faith, I contend.
ReplyDeleteLove that Bill. Would interesting to know how many doubters in this passage embraced faith and became disciples.
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