Matthew 28:18–20
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
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This passage, also commonly known as the Great Commission, was given by Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection and shortly before he returned to his Heavenly Father. It is common knowledge that when parting is imminent, if one has any message to communicate, we will tend to mention or emphasize the most important points of the message. Jesus’ words just before his coming ascension, therefore, emphasize the importance and responsibility that all believers have in this passage.
For this morning’s devotion, we would focus on the verbs of the passage in verses 19 and 20. They are “go”, “make disciples”, “baptize”, and “teach to obey”. When read in Greek, verbs have an “active” and “passive” participle, with the active participle or verb being the central focus and the passive ones supporting the active verb. Here, the active verb is “make disciples” and therefore the focus of the passage.
We are therefore commanded to make disciples of all nations. The church today may sometimes be more focused on making converts. Once a person decides to follow Christ, we think that our job is mainly done for that person. Discipleship involves much more than just the mental decision to follow Christ. While the topics of discipleship is too broad to be covered in this short devotion, we should always ask ourselves if we are actively making disciples in our lives and of the people around us.
The passage goes on to suggest how we can do this. As the passive verbs support the main idea of the active verb, which is “making disciples”, the passage practically can also be read as
1. “go and make disciples”
2. “baptise to make disciples” and
3. “teaching to obey to make disciples”
1. “Go and make disciples”. The word “Go” carries the meaning of preparing yourself for a journey, to pack your things. It does not specifically refer to a mission trip, which some may think, but it involves being willing to disrupt your normal schedule and be prepared to go away from your daily routine to accomplish the task of making disciples. As the Bible says in Romans 10: 15b, “As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”. Am I therefore willing to disrupt my normal schedule and be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel?
2. “Baptise to make disciples”. While the physical act of baptism today is often performed by clergy, baptism in the Great Commission is a public sign that follows a person’s conversion—when they repent and place their faith in Christ. Helping someone reach this point of conversion often requires time, answering questions, and walking alongside them. Am I willing to invest the necessary time and effort to help others come to faith in Christ and then encourage them to take the step of baptism?
3. “Teach to obey to make disciples”. Our sinful nature still exists even after we decide to follow Christ. We therefore need to help each other to learn to obey the commandments of our Lord. This involves two steps: first, learning the commandments, and then, second, learning to obey them. This involves a process of teaching and character change, which can be long and tedious. Am I willing to be involved in the process of helping people learn to obey?
The Great Commission in Matt 28:18-20 is our responsibility as believers. God, give us the strength to carry it out and obey.
Prayer:
Father and Lord, thank you for the glorious example of your son Jesus Christ while he was on earth. Thank you that he came to show us how we ought to live. Give us strength to be able to obey and, as a church, together fulfil this Great Commission that he has given to us, and forgive us when we fail. We do look forward to the glorious day when your Son returns, when all our labours and hardships will seem worthwhile. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read
This passage, also commonly known as the Great Commission, was given by Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection and shortly before he returned to his Heavenly Father. It is common knowledge that when parting is imminent, if one has any message to communicate, we will tend to mention or emphasize the most important points of the message. Jesus’ words just before his coming ascension, therefore, emphasize the importance and responsibility that all believers have in this passage.
For this morning’s devotion, we would focus on the verbs of the passage in verses 19 and 20. They are “go”, “make disciples”, “baptize”, and “teach to obey”. When read in Greek, verbs have an “active” and “passive” participle, with the active participle or verb being the central focus and the passive ones supporting the active verb. Here, the active verb is “make disciples” and therefore the focus of the passage.
We are therefore commanded to make disciples of all nations. The church today may sometimes be more focused on making converts. Once a person decides to follow Christ, we think that our job is mainly done for that person. Discipleship involves much more than just the mental decision to follow Christ. While the topics of discipleship is too broad to be covered in this short devotion, we should always ask ourselves if we are actively making disciples in our lives and of the people around us.
The passage goes on to suggest how we can do this. As the passive verbs support the main idea of the active verb, which is “making disciples”, the passage practically can also be read as
1. “go and make disciples”
2. “baptise to make disciples” and
3. “teaching to obey to make disciples”
1. “Go and make disciples”. The word “Go” carries the meaning of preparing yourself for a journey, to pack your things. It does not specifically refer to a mission trip, which some may think, but it involves being willing to disrupt your normal schedule and be prepared to go away from your daily routine to accomplish the task of making disciples. As the Bible says in Romans 10: 15b, “As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”. Am I therefore willing to disrupt my normal schedule and be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel?
2. “Baptise to make disciples”. While the physical act of baptism today is often performed by clergy, baptism in the Great Commission is a public sign that follows a person’s conversion—when they repent and place their faith in Christ. Helping someone reach this point of conversion often requires time, answering questions, and walking alongside them. Am I willing to invest the necessary time and effort to help others come to faith in Christ and then encourage them to take the step of baptism?
3. “Teach to obey to make disciples”. Our sinful nature still exists even after we decide to follow Christ. We therefore need to help each other to learn to obey the commandments of our Lord. This involves two steps: first, learning the commandments, and then, second, learning to obey them. This involves a process of teaching and character change, which can be long and tedious. Am I willing to be involved in the process of helping people learn to obey?
The Great Commission in Matt 28:18-20 is our responsibility as believers. God, give us the strength to carry it out and obey.
Prayer:
Father and Lord, thank you for the glorious example of your son Jesus Christ while he was on earth. Thank you that he came to show us how we ought to live. Give us strength to be able to obey and, as a church, together fulfil this Great Commission that he has given to us, and forgive us when we fail. We do look forward to the glorious day when your Son returns, when all our labours and hardships will seem worthwhile. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.