Monday, April 25, 2011

The Great Commission

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 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 28:16-20

It is the day after the Sunday Easter service. I don’t know about how things were at your church, but we almost ran out of space. Volunteers kept setting up chairs until finally there were no more chairs and standing room only. Some of the extra folks were visitors there to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with their families and friends. Others were the sporadic Christians who generally show up at Easter, Christmas and maybe once or twice more throughout the year, if they feel like it.

Those folks have gone home and on about their business, confident of their place. For the rest of us, those who love Jesus 365 days a year, it’s time to get busy. Jesus gave His disciples -- and His followers like you and me -- clear directions of what we’re to do. He did not say anything about taking a few weeks off to think about it.

We are to go and tell everyone about Jesus. We are to preach the good news of salvation. We are to love others with our actions as well as our words. We are to show others what Jesus looks like by letting them see Jesus in us.

We don’t have to do it alone. Clearly Jesus tells us He is with us. He’ll help us, guide us, walk with us on this journey. But it is a journey we must take.

I think sometimes we hesitate because we don’t know quite where to begin or what to say. The answer? Begin where you are and get out of the way so the Holy Spirit can give you words to say and actions to do. Following Jesus isn’t always about faraway mission trips or giving a huge amount of money. Oh, it can mean those things for some people. But for most of us it’s about doing what we can, where we can, where we are.

So get busy. There are so many people who truly don’t know Jesus and what He has done for all of us. Tell them. Show them. Love them. Do what Jesus called you and me to do.