WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Matthew records “The Great Commission” at the end of his gospel (Matthew 28:16-20). They were some of the last words that Jesus spoke to his disciples. After his ascension, when they could no longer see nor hear him, these words were ringing in their ears.
Matthew accomplishes the same feat for us with a stroke of the pen. Long after we have closed the pages of his gospel, we are still mulling over the challenge Jesus left his followers. His last command is our first concern! The finale of Matthew’s masterpiece is the clarion call of the church.
As significant as this proclamation was, it came as no surprise. He had walked, talked and breathed these principles and priorities before their very eyes. It would be impossible to summarize his life more concisely. The great commission is a précis of Jesus’ passion, his purpose, and his preferences.
But learning to understand and living out the great commission demands that we deal with the mystery and mayhem that surrounds it. Years ago, Dr. Dann Spader helped me see that some perplexing perspectives have diluted our understanding of the great commission.
The Great Commission is an exceptional command for super saints
When the Great Commission speaks of disciples making disciples, many Christians breathe a sigh of relief. They think they are ruled out! We think of disciples as people who stand spiritually head and shoulders above the rest of us. We think they are far more dedicated, disciplined, diligent, prayerful, knowledgeable, and much more spiritual than “normal” Christians.
We tend to believe that the Great Commission is aimed at super-Christians. When we recognize the weaknesses of our own faith and the inconsistencies of our lifestyle, we often conclude that God could never use us to reach a lost and dying world. But making disciples of Jesus is the overflow of delight in being disciples of Jesus, and God’s grace is sufficient. Perfection is not a prerequisite. His power is perfected in weakness. As we “boast” about our weaknesses, Christ’s power resides in us (2 Corinthians 12:9), equipping us to engage the city, make disciples, and plant churches for his glory.
The Great Commission describes an exclusive call to missionary service
The first phrase of the Great Commission is probably responsible for this notion -- “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This phrase jumps out and compels us to think of God’s global agenda. Acts 1:8 expands on “all nations” by speaking in terms of being his “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
But notice that fulfilling the Great Commission begins in our Jerusalem – engaging the town or city in which we live. International missions are part of the Great Commission, but it doesn’t start there. It begins with a faithful, authentic witness for Jesus right at home, right next door, at the school or in the office – engaging the city.
The Great Commission is a call to evangelism
Yes, it emphasizes evangelism. But not to the exclusion of the other priorities in Jesus’ ministry. When we look at Christ’s life, we do see the priority and excellence of evangelism, but that emphasis is balanced perfectly by the Great Commandment and a biblical focus on loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
Let’s reclaim clarity
In all this confusion we have swindled the Great Commission out of its clout. We have created a situation in which the people of God are confused and unsure how to carry on the work of Christ.
The Great Commission is not an exceptional command meant for super-saints only. It’s for you and me - ordinary people who are serving an extraordinary God. It’s for every church in our Convention. It’s an everyday commission, an everyday gospel opportunity, for engaging the town or city in which we live, making disciples, and planting churches.
It’s not an invitation to evangelism only. It’s a 360-degree call to balanced disciple-making. The great commission in Matthew 28:16-20 is a mandate to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
Dallas Willard once asked “Since making disciples is the main task of the church, every church ought to be able to answer two questions: What is our plan for making disciples? Is our plan working?”
What is your plan for making disciples?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Garth Leno is the Pastor/Planter Care Specialist with the BSCM. He serves in a similar role with the Canadian National Baptist Convention, and he is the founding pastor of The Gathering Church in Windsor, Ontario, a church he planted with his wife, Patty, and a few of their friends.
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