In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission, a divine mandate for all believers to make disciples of all nations. This passage, spoken on a Galilean mountain after His resurrection, is the culmination of Matthew’s Gospel, highlighting Jesus’ mission to redeem the world and our role in sharing that good news. His promise, “I am with you always,” is the heartbeat of this mission, empowering us to move forward with courage and confidence, knowing He is ever-present.
Jesus begins in Matthew 28:18, declaring, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This supreme authority forms the foundation of our mission. It assures us that no obstacle, whether fear, doubt, or cultural barrier, is too great because Jesus reigns over all. Picture a young courier tasked with delivering a crucial message across a war-torn land. The journey is perilous, but the courier rides boldly, not due to personal strength, but because the message carries the king’s seal, whose authority none dare challenge. Similarly, when we share the gospel, we move under the absolute dominion of the King of the universe. After all, as missionary Hudson Taylor said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” We can trust Jesus’ authority to embolden us.
In verses 19-20a, Jesus commands, “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.” This is an active call to engage the world with the gospel through evangelism, baptism, and teaching. The mission’s global scope, “all nations,” means no one is beyond its reach. Imagine a relay race where each runner passes the baton to the next. As disciples, we pass the gospel to others, who carry it forward until every nation hears the good news. Henry Martyn, a missionary to India and Persia, captured this: “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.”
The promise in Matthew 28:20b, “I am with you always, to the end of the age,” empowers us. Jesus’ presence, made real through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), is constant rather than distant or occasional. Consider Watchman Nee, who was imprisoned in 1952 by the Communist regime for his faith. In a grueling labor camp, while meditating on Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” Nee felt Jesus’ presence envelop him, granting him strength to endure torture and inspire others. Matthew 28:20 served as his lifeline. Similarly, Jesus’ presence sustains us through any trial, alleviating fear and equipping us to share our faith with others. J. Oswald Sanders reminds us, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” Jesus is indeed with us.
Imagine a ship caught in a raging storm, secured by a steadfast anchor. Jesus’ presence is our anchor, helping us endure life’s toughest trials. His promise empowers us to stand firm and share His love and message boldly. Like St. Patrick in his “Breastplate” prayer, who calls on Christ as his shield and strength, we are enveloped by Jesus’ presence at every step of our mission. Patrick prayed that Jesus would be his all—before him, behind him, within him. We should do the same. This week, take one step: invite someone to church, share your testimony, or pray for an opportunity to make disciples. Trust in Jesus’ authority, plan, and presence to guide you. His promise empowers us to carry out His mission with unwavering courage. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!