Jesus’ final commission to His followers was: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20a). And in Mark 16:15 this command is repeated by Him: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
The great commission is for every Christian
Jesus commands us to go to all nations. This command is not without obligation. All His followers together are responsible for this. Many means are available to us and the more means there are, the more God will ask of us because: “Everyone to whom much was given, of Him much will be required, and from Him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).
The progress of the great commission
Jesus said that we should bring the gospel to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). Over the centuries, many missionaries have set out on their journeys and believers have spread the Good News in their own communities. Some two thousand years after Jesus’ command, there are many Christians worldwide. But there are still peoples and countries that have hardly been reached by the Gospel. Take a look, for example, at this “ranking of the unreached” compiled by GlobalRize. What an immense task still awaits us…!
Internet creates new possibilities for evangelism
Now the Gospel is being preached 24/7 through our electronic highways, and it is also penetrating those areas where missionaries are not allowed or able to come. The preaching of the Gospel may be marked by the Lord’s sudden return: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
What is our part in the great commission?
So, to which unreached people groups may you personally, and as a church fellowship, seek to go? Let us take steps by responding to the challenge that God here presents us with and react appropriately to His call for obedience to His final and great commission.
The Holy Spirit will lead us
If this desire is awakened in us, the Holy Spirit will show the church as a whole and each one individually the way how and where we may get involved and serve. Remember that Jesus’ command is accompanied by a rich promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Be available for the great commission
In order to obey the command to teach all nations and make them disciples, we need to stand as a disciple in the right relationship to the Sender, to make ourselves fully available and to entrust ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Who is committed to Gods Word.
May this be our prayer:
“You have ordered us to send out workers in Your harvest. I offer myself as one of Your workers, and I am fully at Your disposal. If it is in accordance with Your will, in view of my circumstances and my gifts – then send me out as Your laborer in Your harvest. In Jesus Name, Amen.“