A Mission Rooted in Authority (Matthew 28:16–20)
Category : Blogpost
Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus meeting his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. It is a deliberate echo of Moses on Sinai: a new lawgiver, a new covenant, a new commission. Matthew tells us that when the disciples saw Jesus, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Even at the moment of his exaltation, doubt lingered. That is honest. Moreover, it is comforting that Jesus commissions people who still have doubts, not perfect believers.
Jesus says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. That is the foundation. He does not say all authority has been given to you. He is the one with ultimate authority, and he delegates a mission to his followers under that authority. We do not go in our own power or with our own agenda. We go as ambassadors of the King who holds all authority.
Then comes the command: 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.
Notice the structure. The main verb is “make” disciples. Go, baptizing, and teaching are supporting actions. The goal is not just to convert: It is to make disciples. People who learn to obey everything Jesus commanded. That means the commission includes everything we have been studying in this series: justice, mercy, forgiveness, servant leadership, and nonviolence. Making disciples means teaching people to live like Jesus.
And then comes the promise: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. The mission is impossible without his presence. However, he promises his presence. That changes everything.
Stay tuned!