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 surly I am with you always, to the very end of the
age" (Mt.28:18-20).
These words ring familiar in the ears of many Christians
today. They are the words that are known as the Great Commission, and they have been
written about, talked about and preached about often--and with great exhortation. The
Great Commission is viewed as a commandment of Christ to His disciples, indeed, a
commandment to us all to move our lives in a direction that will draw many to Christ. And
with that we encourage and are encouraged to "go," and if for no other reason
than to be obedient to this commandment. But as we walk with Christ, we see that it is His
desire for us to discover a more excellent way. Our obedience is necessary, but God would
have us not just simply obey, but obey because we love.
Now obedience without love may be nothing more than religion, and following the Great
Commission for obedience sake alone may lead us to soon discover that we cannot do what
Jesus has asked us to. But it is the love for God and others that will compel us to press
on and move forward in the carrying out of His Great Commission. And it that Love of God
in us that will work through us as we go, to draw all people to Christ. For He said,
"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself"
(Jn.12:32). And surely that lifting up of Christ is done in the hearts of those who love
Him. And what is lifted up is not a symbol, an idea or a philosophy; but it is the very
nature and character of Christ, who has been sent by God in Love to reclaim His own unto
Himself.
Now with love there is a purpose that transcends obedience alone, for obedience could be a
result of a desire not to be punished, or perhaps to do what is right for
self-edification. Indeed, obedience without love is nothing, for if love for God or others
is absent, obedience is merely an act of self-love. And as our purpose to "go"
transcends obedience alone, we are not only empowered to go, but we also discover the help
and encouragement God offers us as we go. That is what "Therefore" is there
for."
We see that Jesus tells us, "Therefore go." Does He tell us, "Do it because
I told you to?" That may be reasoned as such, however, if we look to what precedes
the words "Therefore go," we find a reason of great encouragement we might
otherwise overlook. Jesus states, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me." Jesus has authority over us, to be certain, but is that all? Certainly
not, for He is telling us a great deal more. His authority is over all of heaven and
earth. Therefore it is an encouragement to us to know that when we go, we go in the name
of the one who has that authority. We go, therefore, with the support and backing of the
Highest. So what should we fear or why should we worry? So as we look at the words
"Therefore go," we see much more than a commandment to us, we see the power and
the Word of God backing us. We see Jesus telling us, "You have what you need, for I
Am."
"And surly I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
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