“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Known as the Great Commission, this final command of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel is the mission of the church throughout the ages. Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples. Every follower of Jesus is to help others follow Jesus. The very nature of this command (teaching believers to obey everything Christ commanded, including this command) makes it a command that applies to EVERY Christian throughout history. If you’re a follower of Jesus, this command is Christ’s command to you!
In commanding us to make disciples, Jesus told us how to do it – by going, baptizing, and teaching. Every Christian is to be making disciples as we go through life and we must be intentional about getting up and out of our holy huddle of Christian friends to meet and introduce non-Christians to Jesus. As we tell people about Jesus and demonstrate the truth of Christ by the way we live our lives, we are to baptize those who come to believe in Him.
However, baptism isn’t the end of a new believer’s journey, it’s the beginning! As Christians, we have a responsibility to be teaching other Christians, young and old, to obey EVERYTHING Christ commanded in the Bible. Likewise, we must be growing in our obedience to everything Christ commanded. We must all learn, more and more thoroughly, what it means to truly follow Jesus.
This task is hard! On our own, it would be impossible. However, in Christ we’re NEVER alone. Christ is with us as we do His work. Christ is with you every moment of every day. He isn’t merely a cheerleader. He’s the One with all authority in heaven and on earth (see verse 18)! Jesus will never leave you or ignore you. He is always with you until that glorious day when He returns!