mySundaySermons

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority 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 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [NRSA]

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the profound message contained within Matthew 28:16-20. These verses form what is traditionally known as The Great Commission, the final calling of Jesus Christ to his disciples, a call that extends to all of us today.

Begin with a picture of the disciples journeying to Galilee, to the mountain that Jesus directed them to go, meet, and wait. Here we witness faith in action. Even after the crucifixion, even after their world had seemingly crumbled, the disciples continued to follow Jesus’ instructions. They were guided by faith, not by sight, a lesson that speaks to us today of our personal discipleship. When the path seems unclear, when the world around us crumbles, we, too, must step out in faith. We too are called now to go, meet, and wait.

In verse 17, we see the disciples faced with the resurrected Jesus. They responded in worship, but even in this extraordinary moment, the scripture tells us that ‘some doubted.’ This honest depiction reveals that doubt is not a stranger to faith. We all have moments of doubt. But the presence of doubt does not invalidate our faith, it humanizes it. It allows us to seek, to question, and ultimately to grow stronger in our relationship with God.

The challenge is not to accept our places and moments of doubt, but see them as reminders to do something constructive with our hesitancy of faith. This is the time to pray, study, ask for encouragement, and take steps of faith, even if they are small.

Small steps

In verse 18, Jesus asserts His divine authority. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” These words assure us that Jesus is not just a prophet, a teacher, or a healer. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth belongs. It’s under this authority that we find our safety, our guidance, our salvation And our call. This authority isn’t founded on tyranny or fear, but on love, mercy, and grace.

When we are struggling with faith, remember the authority of Jesus comes with all divine authority. Where else, who else, can make such a claim? Where else would we place our trust and confidence? In the world? In political powers? In public opinions? Or social constructs? No.

Verses 19 and 20 outline our sacred duty as Christians. Jesus commands us to “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.” Here we see the heart of our mission – it is not a call to passivity but to action. Our faith is not merely for self-edification; it’s for sharing, for inviting others into the love and grace that we have found in Christ.

This act of making disciples is not merely about conversion. It’s about “teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you,” Jesus said. The work of discipleship involves continual learning and teaching, a lifelong commitment to spiritual growth, guided by Jesus’ teachings.

We are to be disciples AND make disciples.

Finally, in the closing of verse 20, Jesus offers a promise, one of the most comforting in all scripture. “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These words remind us that we are not alone in our journey. In times of joy and times of sorrow, times of certainty and times of doubt, Christ is with us.

Thisjourney to the mountain is not an easy one. It requires faith to Go, meet and wait. It brings doubts. It demands action. Yet, we are not alone. We walk this path under the authority of Christ and with His constant presence.

Without making disciples we only make it half way up thr mountain.  May we make disciples beginning today?

Challenge of each one to reach one.

 

Prayer: May we live out The Great Commission, stepping out in faith, acknowledging our doubts, acting under Christ’s authority, and making disciples while remembering that Christ is with us always. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.