The Great Commission

Matthew 28. 16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 Did you read really read the above verses with emphasis on the highlighted words? The eleven disciples worshipped Jesus, however some of them had some doubts regarding Him. It is the same even now. Many come and worship to the Lord for a number of reasons but we are all beset with doubts time and again about His existence, faithfulness etc. Jesus did not rebuke his disciples for their doubts, instead He affirmed the Truth that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. And then charged everyone of them with the great commission.

The great commission contained the command to GO and to MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations. The new disciples were to be BAPTISED and then TAUGHT to OBEY His COMMANDS. The commission could be really fulfilled only if every disciple that was baptized, and taught to obey Jesus’ commands in turn discipled, baptized and taught others to obey. Jesus’ commission was not just to some select group of ordained people, but a sweeping command to all His disciples, present and future. The last verse of this commission is a great comfort and encouragement to every disciple of Jesus. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. What an assurance to know that He will be with us and for us as we set forth to obey Him, to the end.

“When God calls you to do something, he enables you to do it.” – Robert Schuller

Secret Life within Christ

We can draw an analogy between our life-cycle in Christ with the lifecycle of a tree beginning from a seed. Take for instance a mango seed. It remains buried in the soil for a while but even then there is life within the seed. The seed is in preparation to grow into a large mango tree. Changes take place within the seed and then later a tiny root pushes it way down and takes firm grip in the soil. This root continues to grow deep and wide. It continues to grow gathering all the nutrients from the surrounding soil. Meanwhile you could say that the seed is buried, and  hidden from above ground.

 

Once the root has grown a bit strong, a tender shoot thrusts its way up and emerges from the dirt, seeking the warmth of the sun. Soon there are a number of leaves and then the shoot grows branches and transforms from a tender green shoot to a sturdy brown tree trunk. The trunk of the tree grows wider and taller with each passing year. There will be a number of branches full of leaves and every season the tree will be heavy with fruits.

 

It is the same way for a Christian. Initially Christ plants the seed (the Christian) in a field. The seed remains hidden and buried, but if the Christian is a true disciple, meanwhile he/she will grow internally strong in the word, wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. Then having been fully established in Christ the foundation, the Christian grows into a tree. Biblically an ideal tree bears good edible fruit in all seasons, has a large canopy that provides rest and shade for birds (dwellers) and travelers alike, and can withstand floods, storms and wind.

 

Growth continues as long as the root remains healthy and supplies the tree with the necessary nutrients. So also with a child of Christ. As long as we continue to feed from Him, we will remain vibrant and fruitful no matter the adversities. Every Christian with a secret life in Christ will have a successful public life.