To The Ends Of The Earth

To the Ends of the Earth

Matthew 28:16-20, NIV

Then 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 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.”

Mark 16:15-18, NIV

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Setting the Scene

Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus called a meeting in Galilee. The time had come to leave, as he had told his disciples repeatedly. He would still be with them, but not in the same way he had been for the last three years.

Matthew wrote, “Some doubted.” All of us struggle with doubt sometimes. The struggles of the early disciples reach across the centuries and provoke us to pay attention. Our assumption that given the same undeniable proofs of Jesus’ resurrection and identity we would be unflinchingly faithful is wishful thinking. God doesn’t ever have to do more to prove himself to us.

Jesus stated his supreme authority and then exercised that authority by telling his disciples to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. They were to reproduce themselves—disciples making disciples, who in turn make more disciples. The target audience, “all nations,” confirms God’s eternal purpose is reaching the world with a message for all people (Genesis 12:3; Luke 2:10). In both Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts, baptism is the symbolic aspect of discipleship while belief and obedience are the required signs of authentic discipleship.

Because of his previous promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus could say, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” That presence of Jesus is what still marks the lives of authentic believers today.

Getting Personal

In what ways are you taking Jesus’ commission seriously?

Who made you a disciple, and how have you passed on the gift to others?

Why is Jesus’ promise of his continual presence important to you?

Jesus’ final command was not for a chosen few designated to be missionaries, but for all those who claim to follow Jesus. The point of Jesus’ promise to be with us is not primarily for personal well-being and companionship but to accomplish the ongoing purpose to evangelize and disciple the world.

Talking to God

Consider how the truth about Christ’s resurrection and the good news of salvation have traveled through so many generations to reach your own. Thank God for the priceless gift of these precious truths, and ask him to make you a generous steward of the Good News.