The Assignment!

The Assignment!

Matthew 28:19 KJV

[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

The deal is done; the account of sin has been fully paid up. The righteous demand of God has been fully satisfied by the cruel death and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Whatever was the penalty for sin had now been paid in full once and for all. In light of all the above, do we think it was truly all 'free', with not a single strand of responsibility expected from us? I believe that all that Jesus did was for me to bring to the consciousness of other people what His death and resurrection mean, and how they can also benefit. This means that the verse has a personal view: you only give what you have; this is one reality that you cannot fake. 

Jesus has done His bit and left the scene physically, but His presence remains with us at all times. As He was leaving, the verse above was with only His disciples, and not the crowd. This also means that the verse above, which we call the Great Commussion, is for disciples. If the verse above wants disciples to make other disciples, how can a person who is not a disciple, make a disciple of someone else? How do I reproduce myself in someone else in a good way if I do not have the right foundation and substance? To go is to 'move, travel, or proceed from one place to another, or to depart'. It means I do not sit on my hands and be content with just being. 

There is no limit to the scope and spread of the assignment; the only thing that will be constant is the substance of the message, and it must be about Christ. All nations are to hear the message about Jesus Christ, without exception. Christ died for the whole world, even those not yet born, and the whole world needs salvation from the power and effect of sin. How would the world hear about Christ if those who know and have Him do not speak about Him? How does the fragrance of Christ spread to other people if those who have Him shut Him in and do not let Him out? If I have Him, can the world see Him in me? Do you have Him, and does He shine in and through you? 

The assignment involves teaching as well as baptizing the people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. This is proof that a man has come to the knowledge of, and has declared faith in Jesus. People are given access to the identity and person of Christ, what He desires from all who choose to follow Him, and how they can remain in Him no matter what goes on around them. It has to be clear that this does not work as a seasonal wonder, or an occasional party, but it is a lifetime commitment. You get in and stay in all the way. Remember: you csn only give what you have. God's time of favour is here.