Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Jesus spoke to His eleven remaining disciples and charged them with the task of spreading the Good News (Gospel). He told them to go to all nations. No one was to be excluded. This was not meant to be a club where only the members enjoy the benefits. Jesus was talking about outreach here.
Too many people today try to keep the benefits for themselves. Maybe they think they were lucky enough to discover the Good News so it must be rationed because there may not be enough to go around. Our Lord specifically told us to take it to all nations. It is love. There is always enough love to go around. Like the feeding of the five thousand, there is always more left over. Our Church has a motto which is “make disciples who make disciples”. It is the concept of multiplying. As in other miracles, there is always enough. Are you making disciples? Many tell me they are not ones to share their faith. They tell me faith is a private thing. They tell me they don’t know how. Something as good as Grace should not be hoarded! It is so valuable that it should be offered to all. That is what Jesus asks us to do! He will equip you for the mission. And you are not asked to do this alone. Jesus promises to be with you always. That’s always! He will never leave nor forsake you. He loves you that much!
So why not step out in faith? You have been given an incredible gift and asked to share it with others. Don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. Just love others as yourself and they will figure it out. Love with deeds! Treat others well. They will come to understand why. Sooner or later, they will ask you why you are so nice and calm. Then you can tell them about your Lord and how He is always with you. Live in such a way as to make people notice you are different which will cause them to ask why. Go, make disciples! Here is the charge our Pastor Don Feuerbach gives us. See if this will work for you as well as it works for us.
Liberty Corner, “You are the bearers of the good news to the world. So it matters how you live your life. It matters what you say and how you say it. It matters what you do and how you do it because someone is watching you wanting to know what it means to follow a risen Lord. So go out and love your neighbors and serve the Lord. ”
Lord, help us today to follow You! Let our lives bring glory to You and blessing to those we meet. Let us be the bearers of Good News to all nations. Remain with us and give us the strength to carry out the mission of making disciples in Your name! Amen!