And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission is recorded four times, once each in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and again in Acts. Jesus sent His disciples (including every believer since) to take the Gospel to all peoples in all the world. That it is recorded four times emphasizes its importance. The four accounts are not all identical, which beckons us to consider the specific nuances in each of the four. So, let’s spend the next four posts doing just that, beginning with Matthew 28:18-20.

This is the account that is most commonly referred to as “The Great Commission,” maybe because it is the most comprehensive. Let’s consider, “What is so great about the Great Commission?”

It is given by a great Savior. In (v.18) Jesus reminds the disciples that He, the One issuing the commission, does so from the position of ultimate authority. That He has ALL authority, in HEAVEN and on EARTH, makes His ultimate authority clear. That demands that we take the commission seriously.

The task is great in scope. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is to be taken to all people in all the earth. That is rather great, wouldn’t you agree? And that it was issued to a small group of unimpressive people, makes the task even more daunting—in fact, humanly impossible!

The requirements of discipleship are great. Disciples are to make disciples, not merely to orchestrate religious experiences. Note the following about disciples: (A) Disciples must believe the Gospel, and repent. (B) Disciples must be baptized (baptism saves no one, but those who are saved must be baptized!). (C) Disciples must learn and obey the Bible. One who skips any of these is not a disciple.

The great task is possible because of a great empowerment. No one can make disciples or be a disciple in one’s own strength. The only way is by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Praise God that Jesus concluded the Great Commission in Matthew by promising His abiding presence in the Person of the Holy Spirit—who makes the impossible, a reality.