The Great Commission

Matthew 28:17-19 from the New Living Translation (NLT)
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The so called Great Comission (we will look at verse 20 tomorrow)is better titled the great Omission as so many Christians and churches fail to obey. It is difficult to over emphasise the importance of these verses as they represent a culmination of all Jesus's work on earth. These words are not an afterthought but the logical outcome of Jesus life poured into his disciples for three years. Jesus commands his disciples to do what he did, to follow his example and train others. "All authority" is way of saying this could not be more important. God's very nature is expressed in this command and in our obedience to it. Jesus gave the command though some disciples "doubted" and didn't feel ready. We too may feel inadequate or unready for the task but Jesus gives us the order anyway.
As we start a new year are we ready to committ ourselves wholeheartedly to making or training disciples? Who will we train? How will we do it? May God give us his Spirit, his wisdom and his power to pour our life into others.