The Co-Mission of the Great Commission
Read the Text: Matthew 28
Memorize the Text: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Consider the Text: Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission exists as one of the most familiar passages in the Bible among believers. Many followers of Christ can provide the basic message of this scripture and point out many of the central points. When we think about the Great Commission, we must recognize the co-mission component. The calling extended to every believer and included working together. As believers, we co-mission together with God and one another to carry out the task of the Great Commission. Jesus provided several key factors about this mission.
Jesus used the Great Commission to call believers to BE ON CONSTANT MISSION. The term "Go" found in the passage indicates the idea of "as one goes." Participation in the work of the Great Commission occurs as part of the believer's everyday life. The work happens when we engage people at our place of employment or speak to a family member. The task continues at a restaurant or around the dinner table with family and friends. The calling challenges us to take the mindset of being on mission constantly.
The idea of a constant mission effort does not limit the scope of the work. So often, we perceive the concept of mission as a trip or event that takes place somewhere other than home. The truth is that genuine Great Commission fulfillment focuses on reaching and working as we go everywhere. Jesus identified the mission field as "all nations." Later in Acts 1, Jesus affirmed this calling by detailing the mission field as Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
Jesus called believers to MAKE DISCIPLES in the Great Commission. The task of making disciples carries two central objectives. First, the work of making disciples occurs through the work of evangelism. Evangelism is the believer's activity of sharing the gospel with a non-believer and inviting them to become a believer. The only way one becomes a disciple is through salvation. Thus, the mission before us begins by engaging people with the gospel and inviting them to follow Jesus. This initiates the opportunity for people to become disciples.
A disciple does not merely mean that a person becomes a follower of Christ alone. A disciple is one who learns. As a result, the second component of making disciples occurs through the work of discipleship. Jesus challenged the believers to "teach them to observe everything I commanded you." The act of teaching means that we seek to participate in the spiritual growth of other believers. This reality means that we received the call to go and share as well as the call to walk with and mature.
The command of Christ comes with the promise that we participate in the Great Commission and ARE NOT ALONE. Jesus promised his presence as the Great Commission is carried out. Jesus' statement declares that he is with us through the work and continually empowers us to complete the work. At the same time, Jesus guides us as we seek to fulfill the calling on our life and co-missions with us by using us as the instruments and mouthpieces to make the gospel known.
The Great Commission truly is a co-mission. We are called to work together, grow together, and journey together. We are working with the Lord as He guides us and directs us continually. The Great Commission centers on making disciples who become disciple makers. It includes the work of evangelism and discipleship. The call challenges us to balance our efforts to make disciples between reaching and teaching.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
