Go Make Disciples

Discipling Together
February 2025
James Henrich

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

These verses conclude Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus has died and risen from the grave. He now gives to the Eleven disciples (and through them to the Church) “marching orders.” He sets in motion a new phase of God’s redemptive plan; the Good News about Jesus Christ is going to all peoples! Notice three significant points.

First, Jesus speaks uniquely as One who has supreme authority. Before the Resurrection, Jesus taught, healed, cast out demons, and forgave sins with absolute authority. But now the sphere of His authority is enlarged to include the entire universe. Now God’s universal authority is mediated through the one Man, Jesus Christ. He is the Lord. The days of His humiliation are past.  “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

So, why is it important we know He has all authority? It is because Jesus’ authority has consequences for us. Based on His “all authority,” He commissions His followers to make disciples of “all nations.” He commands with universal authority; we are impelled into a universal ministry. Also, we have this assurance: there is no place where His sovereign authority does not reach. Jesus is in control wherever we venture in obedience to Him.

Second, we note that the main command is to make disciples. A disciple, in this instance, is a pupil or learner of Jesus Christ. Disciples are those who hear, submit to, and obey the teachings of Jesus. Where do we find His teachings? Most certainly in the four Gospels. But also in the writings of the Apostles, i.e., the Acts, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. See the Gospel of John 16:12-15.

To make disciples, we must first be disciples ourselves. So, are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you trust Him with your life, relationships, and possessions? Do you listen to Him speak in the Holy Scriptures? Are you growing in the knowledge of God? Are you increasing in godly wisdom? Is your conduct increasingly in keeping with the example Jesus gave us? Do you pray for spiritual power to obey all He has commanded? In short, are you a follower of Jesus Christ?

And, if you are a follower of Christ, then are you helping others find and follow Him too? It’s true, the Great Commission is first and foremost the mission Jesus gave to His Church. But if you are a disciple of Jesus (and thus a member of His Church), then you have a share in the Great Commission. You have a responsibility to advance the Church’s mission according to your spiritual gifts, resources, life circumstances, etc. through your local church. Thus, it’s fair to ask, who are you sharing the gospel with? Who are you praying for to know and to follow Jesus Christ? Who are you encouraging by your Christ-like example and instructing in Christ’s ways? How are you personally involved in making disciples?

Lastly, notice that the terminus of the mission is “the end of the age” or the end of history as we know it. The mission ends when God’s Kingdom comes in fullness and power at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. In the meantime, we’re about the business of making disciples. And we have this promise from the Risen Christ to encourage us especially when the task is difficult and dangerous: “I am with you always.”  Jesus goes with us as we go to make disciples. He sends us and sticks with us. His continuing presence will never be withdrawn. He will be with His followers to the end. His faithfulness to us should inspire our faithfulness to Him. He has commanded us to make disciples. Let’s then rededicate ourselves to His mission!