The Great Commission is stated in the gospel of Matthew as follows, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ 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, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold,I am with you always, to the end of the age (16: 19-20 It is a commission that is as commonly known as John 3:16. It is a commission that has been given to us, and if we claim to be Christ’s disciples then we must follow his command. It is not optional, but a simple necessity as loving God and one’s neighbor is a necessity. Even more it is quite easy for all Christians to partake in the Great commission, even though some might not think so.

First of all, it is important to note that the Great Commission is for all Christians and not just for the disciples that Christ spoke directly to in the passage. There are a number of reasons for this but the one that seems to leap off the page is that part of the commission is to go into “all nations.” Therefore, it follows that is was simply impossible for the disciples who heard Christ give the commission to go into all nations. The Americas had not even been discovered, Africa, Asia and parts of Europe did not receive the gospel for centuries after the Great Commission was given. The only reason they did hear it was because of later Christians who took up the call of the Great Commission.

It is important to note that while being a missionary is an excellent way of fufilling the call of the Great Commission, it is by far not the only way and not necessarily the most effective way. It is widely agreed upon now by scholars and pastors in the Church that one of the most effective ways to fulfill the Great Commission is not to send missionaries but to support and raise up indigenous leaders in their own countries. Why should we be using $3,000 a month to support one American family to go to a country who will most likely spend 3 years learning the language and culture, come home on furlow, and always have ethnic barriers? When on the other hand we could take that $3,000 and suppport ten or so indigenous leaders who need no time for cultural preperation and are already equipped to practically share the gospel? The answer is clear that indigenous leaders are cheaper and often more effective.

However, there are unreached people groups and places that do not have indegenous leaders to raise up and support. Therefore, people must go forth as missionaries and be the light in the darkness. Someone must go forth and preach the gospel to a dying people who have no knowledge of the truth. Such people are the forerunners who blaze paths in uncharted territories and who should be highly honored for their sacrifice and sense of duty to fulfill Christ’s command.  Whether a missionary to an unreached people or to a reached people, where there are enough people to share the gospel, all missionaries should be honored.

In light of the call of missionaries and indigenous leaders we should not consider ourselves unable to partake of this ministry even if we are not physically going anywhere or partaking in the ministry. There are other ways we can diligently share in the commision. First of all and most importantly we can pray. We can pray diligently for missionaries and those who are laboring for the gospel. We can pray that God would raise up laborers for the harvest. Through such prayers we are partaking in the vision of the Great Commission.

Secondly, we can also give of our resources. In America we are already considered rich to most of the world no matter what our incomes. Therefore, we should tithe diligently and rejoice that our money is going forth to such a great cause. Even further, we can live below our income means and give surplus to help support those actively seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. It is better to give than to receive, and all that we sacrifice for this great call upon our lives will be rewarded more richly in eternity than if we spend our money on the passing pleasures of this world.

Finally, we are called to make disciples of those in our immediate context. It does not mean that all are “evangelist” but all should have a heart to share the gospel in one way or another. All are called to share in the vision of making disciples, and all gifts can be used for this great cause. Each of us is called to partake in the Great Commission, and it is an honor that far exceeds mundane life in the world that can so easily be consumed with our selfish ambitions. It is a calling that is upon all who claim to be Christ’s disciples and one that we can easily partake in.

Tags: Atonement

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