November 19
The Great
Commission
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Daily Steps
Having understood their corporate identity in The Church (Day 324), the new believer must embrace the Church's singular, global mission. This passage, Christ's final instruction, is the Mandate for Discipleship—the Great Commission—and it defines the purposeful action (Day 274) of every Christian.
The peace in this principle is found in divine partnership:
The Call to Go and Make: The central command is to make disciples of all nations. A "disciple" is a learner who commits to following Christ (The Cost of Following Christ, Day 283). This command means the Church's work is active, expansive, and global, fulfilling the Call to Mission (Day 274).
The Process of Discipleship: Making disciples involves two key actions:
Baptizing: This is the public identification with Christ's redemption (Day 225) and the entrance into the one body (Day 323), performed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching Obedience: This is the core of discipleship: teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. True wisdom (Day 297) is seen not in mere knowledge, but in resolute obedience (Day 283) to Christ's Word (Day 269).
The Promise of Presence: The command is balanced by the ultimate promise of everlasting comfort (Day 309): And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. This guarantees that Christ's perfect leadership (Day 322) and His power (Day 279) accompany every believer carrying out the mission.
Your peace is secured by divine partnership. Embrace The Mandate for Discipleship today by seeing yourself as an active participant in the Great Commission. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into opportunities to go and teach obedience with the confidence that Christ is with you always.
Reflective Question
If the central goal of the Great Commission is to teach obedience to Christ's commands, which one command are you still learning to obey? How can you apply the promise, I am with you always, to a specific, challenging mission task today?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess my hesitation in sharing my faith and my tendency to forget Your global vision. I thank You for the privilege of the Great Commission. I pray for the courage to go and make disciples of all nations and the diligence to faithfully teach them to obey. Secure my peace today in the certainty that You are with me always, empowering the Church and Discipleship mission. Amen.
