Mark Sorensen The Great Commission. It was the very first Bible verse I ever put to memory…
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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19,20
It’s funny. At ten years old, it was just words. Not much more. However, the older I have grown, the deeper those words have connected to my heart and spiritual walk with the Lord. Today, it’s a verse that serves as a mission statement for me in ministry.
I love these words from Jesus. But, have you ever paid attention to the context in which the verse is found? Take a look at what precedes Jesus’ words…
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…” Matthew 28:16-17
It’s funny how many times I read scripture and, in subtle yet beautiful ways, the Holy Spirit will reveal something new to me. For example. Here we find the disciples coming to meet Jesus on the other side of His death and resurrection. They knew things had changed. They knew that life would not be the same. And, suddenly, there He is. Jesus. Imagine the scene. What must that moment had been like for the disciples? Here, as they see Jesus, I love that Matthew points out that they worshipped him, but in the midst of the worship, some doubted.
I wonder.
What did their doubt sound like?
“What’s happening here? Is Jesus leaving us? If so, what do we do now? Can I really do this thing Jesus has called me to do? Can I accept the calling He has given to me to follow? What about my family? Will they be safe? What about me? Am I really willing to die for this calling?”
Can I say it? I get doubt. Seriously. But I love how Jesus met their doubt. Jesus met them with the assurance that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him through the Father. And because of this, Jesus said, “Go…” Baptize. Teach. For I have commanded you. And the beautiful promise on the other side of these commands from Jesus? “I am with you always. Even unto the ends of the age.”
Here I sit on the eve of a 12 day trip to India. The journey begins tomorrow. Is there doubt? Yes. But the assurance from Jesus is much stronger than any doubt I feel this evening and that assurance is this: “I am with you always.”
What about you? Where is doubt in your life? You’re not alone. You’re in great company, actually. However, can I say it? Jesus meets your doubt with grace and the beautiful promise that you are never alone.
Leaning into this beautiful truth this evening. Join me?
