Embracing the Great Commission: Answering Jesus’ Call

In our journey of Sharing Christ, we begin with the foundation of evangelism: The Great Commission. Embracing the Great Commission is an essential triat of a fully devoted follower of Christ. These final words of Jesus to His disciples carry incredible weight and apply to all believers today. If you haven’t already, check out the Introduction to this series to understand the vision behind this journey.

Let’s dive into the depth of Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT):

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Big Picture: A Command for All Christians – Embracing the Great Commission

The Great Commission is not a suggestion or a task reserved for pastors and missionaries—it is a command for all Christians. These verses encapsulate Jesus’ heart for the world and His vision for His followers: to share the message of salvation and help others grow as disciples.

The scope is global, the mandate is clear, and the power to fulfill it comes from Jesus Himself. To fully appreciate its significance, we need to examine this passage phrase by phrase, delving into the richness of the original Greek.

Breaking Down Matthew 28:19-20

1. “Go” (Greek: πορευθέντες | poreuthentes)

The command “Go” is pivotal to the Great Commission. In Greek, poreuthentes conveys ongoing action—“As you are going” or “While you go.” This reveals that sharing the gospel is not confined to specific times or events but is a continuous, intentional part of our lives.

2. “Make Disciples” (Greek: μαθητεύσατε | matheteusate)

The heart of the Great Commission is to “make disciples.” The Greek word matheteusate means to help others become learners and followers of Christ. This goes beyond introducing someone to Jesus; it involves guiding them to grow in faith, knowledge, and obedience.

3. “Of all the nations” (Greek: πάντα τὰ ἔθνη | panta ta ethne)

The phrase panta ta ethne refers to all people groups, not just countries. It underscores the inclusivity of the gospel—Jesus’ message is for everyone, transcending cultural, ethnic, and national boundaries.

4. “Baptizing them”

Baptism is a public declaration of faith and a symbol of identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It marks a believer’s new life in Christ and their commitment to follow Him.

5. “Teaching them to obey all the commands I have given you”

Teaching is not about imparting knowledge alone but about leading others to live out the teachings of Christ. Obedience to His commands reflects true discipleship.

6. “I am with you always” (Greek: ἐγὼ μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰμι | ego meth’ hymon eimi)

Jesus concludes with a promise: His presence is constant and enduring. The phrase ego meth’ hymon eimi assures us that we are never alone as we fulfill His command. His power and guidance are with us every step of the way.

Putting It All Together

When we piece these phrases together, we see a beautiful and challenging picture of our mission as Christians. The Great Commission calls us to go intentionally, make disciples across all people groups, baptize them in faith, and teach them to obey Christ’s commands. All of this is done with the assurance of His presence and power.

This is not optional; it is a command. It is the very purpose for which we are sent into the world. The Great Commission is a reminder that our faith is not just personal—it’s meant to be shared.

Embracing the Great Commission

Here are practical ways you can start living out the Great Commission in your everyday life:

1. Pray for Opportunities: Ask God to open doors for you to share the gospel.
2. Live Intentionally: Be aware of moments where you can reflect Christ in your actions and words.
3. Share Your Testimony: Your personal story of faith can inspire others.
4. Support Missions: Pray for missionaries, give to their efforts, or consider going on a mission trip.
5. Disciple Others: Invest in helping others grow in their faith by leading or participating in Bible studies.
6. Equip Yourself: Continue to study God’s Word and grow in your understanding of the gospel.

What’s Next?

While this is the first post in our Sharing Christ series, our next blog will take a slight detour to explore an important topic: how all Christians are called to be evangelists. Did you know there are at least six different types of evangelists? We’ll dive into this exciting subject and help you discover the unique ways you can share your faith. Stay tuned!

Poem for this post: The Call to Battle: A Mission for Christ

Call to Action

Let’s grow together in embracing the Great Commission!

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Let’s go, share, and make disciples—one step at a time. 🌍✝️

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