Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, having been brought through, DISCIPLE all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all I've commanded you. Behold! Surely I am (YAHWEH) with you (Immanuel) always! To the very end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 28:18-20 is frequently referred to as "The Great Commission." In doing so, our emphasis quickly shifts from the KING... to the commission... then to "What this means to me is..." until finally the focus shifts to our problems and circumstances. Often, we end up missing King Jesus completely.
Matthew begins his Gospel account with, "Book of genesis of Jesus, Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." The GOOD NEWS is Jesus. He is the anticipated, prophesied, promised Messiah-Christ-King of Heaven! The Shiloh of Genesis 49:10! Shiloh, Messiah, Christ is the only one to whom all tribute and authority belong. Jesus, the KING, is Matthew's point at all times.
Matthew paints a beautiful picture of King Jesus. Then, with his final brush strokes, Matthew reminds us that King Jesus, the one to whom ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given... He gives those who would come after Him... those who would deny self... those who would pick us their cross... those who would follow in His footsteps of humble obedience regardless of the cost... Jesus gives to them a blessing, an imperative command: DISCIPLE.
The emphasis is never on "personal salvation." The emphasis shouldn't be on the imperative. The emphasis and focus is always Jesus, The RESURRECTED King!
The point of Matthew's Gospel is The King of Eternity - Jesus. He's graciously inviting us into His story. We are His ποίημα, His handiwork... craftsmanship... workmanship... His wisdom! We (collectively) are being crafted into a singular entity (His Body and Bride, i.e. the Church) in Christ to do the good works (promoting and proclaiming JESUS to the ends of the earth!), which God prepared in advance for us (collectively) to live!
Therefore, as the writer of Hebrews wrote, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Are your Eyes truly on Jesus?
Blessings!
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor, PBC
https://www.unstoppablekidsbook.com/
