Every army preparing for battle needs clear instructions. Every organisation needs a clear idea of its goals and methods. If these are lacking the result is confusion and nothing worthwhile will be achieved. The church is no different in this respect. It must know what it is meant to be doing. There are all kinds of voices giving conflicting advice, yet there need not be confusion. The Lord has spelled out the church’s task clearly in his Word. We consider Matthew 28:6 Go and make disciples.
1. The great claim
The weakness of the disciples is evident here – ‘some doubted’ (v17), even in the presence of the risen Christ. He begins with the greatest possible claim: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’ (v18). All power and the right to use it have been committed to Christ. That is a truth calculated to put heart into wavering disciples. As the eternal Son he had all authority in eternity, but now he receives authority as the God-man, the Messiah who has accomplished redemption and has risen in victory. Note Philippians 2:9 ‘Therefore God exalted him’. There is no limit to the authority, not even the self-imposed limits on the use of his power during his earthly ministry. All of creation comes under his authority. Note passages such as Colossians 2:10, Romans 14:9, 1 Peter 3:22. His authority extends over enemies who will finally be placed under the feet of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:25). It should thrill the heart of a Christian to contemplate the authority of the risen Lord.
2. The great commission
The Lord’s command in Matthew 10:5 not to go to the Gentiles was a temporary restriction. God’s purpose was always that salvation would be proclaimed throughout the world (Isaiah 49:6). The church must have a vision for the world. The church is to be outward looking and outward going. We are not to wait for lost sheep to wander in – they must be sought. Note – ‘make disciples’ – more than the initial point of conversion is in view. The aim is to bring sinners into the fellowship of the church. Two elements are mentioned:
Baptising – the sign of entrance into covenant fellowship, united to the triune God. Thus evangelism is set in the context of the church, and converts are not left alone.
Teaching them to observe everything the Lord has taught. We seek disciples, not just converts. The church is to be the communicator of the Lord’s truth. We are also to seek that the truth is lived – head knowledge is not enough. Note ‘therefore’ – because Christ has supreme authority, we can have confidence that disciples will be made.
3. The great comfort
Christ promises ‘I am with you always’ (v20), a precious promise to those engaged in the work of the Kingdom. It is Christ himself who is with his people. Life flows to us from him (John 15:1ff). He is present by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,18). Thus we have ongoing fellowship with the Lord and the certainty that we will have whatever we need to obey his commission (Philippians 4:19). He is present ‘to the very end of the age’ – history has a goal, the fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation, and so the outcome is certain.