This week’s study text is a familiar one. It is reflected in the official mission statement of The United Methodist Church: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
But there would have been good reason for discouragement and uncertainty as those early disciples were commissioned by Jesus. The first thing that jumps out is the fact that there were only eleven disciples present (Matthew 28:16). Judas is gone. The post-resurrection work is just beginning and already the numbers are dwindling. A second reality is that even as the risen Lord stood among them, “some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). Those who had been closest to Jesus were not in full assurance that what was happening was real. There is a third concern: Jesus said to go to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19). That task is just overwhelming!
How about today? Are we discouraged by the shrinking number of faithful believers (verse 16)? Are we really sure that Jesus can make good on His promises (verse 17)? How can we go to “all nations” when we can’t even get a full house of disciples here where we live (verse 19)?
What, then, are we to do? It looks as if we are to play the game without having been dealt a full deck.
For starters, let us note that what Jesus has said is not a suggestion; it is an instruction. Then, let’s pay attention to the context: Jesus points out that all authority has been given to Him (verse 18). The word translated as “authority” is ĕxŏusia. It means not only the position of authority, but also the ability of authority. In other words, the Lord has the ability to get things done. That ought to be encouraging!
The final “yes” as we undertake this mission is that Jesus says He will be with us (verse 20). We do not go alone as we undertake what Jesus has told us to do. Shall we get started?
