The Great Commission is found in all of the synoptic gospels (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:46-47). There are many great things about the Great Commission that we would do well to note. The commission Jesus gave is great as it…
Was Given By GREAT AUTHORITY: In giving the Great Commission, Matthew’s account tells us that, “Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matt. 28:18). The “Go therefore” of the Great Commission is based on the authority of Jesus. Notice Jesus has been given “all authority.” This authority was given to Him by the Father: “You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him” (Heb. 2:8). The fact that this commission was given by One with great authority makes its execution that much more necessary.
Is A GREAT CHARGE: In the words of Jesus, we have the great charge to “go teach” or “preach” (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15). There is no greater charge than this, for preaching and teaching is the way that men may know the will of God and be saved by Him. Paul wrote of this very fact: “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Rom. 10:13-15). How have you been doing in response to this great charge?
Represented A GREAT GROUP: In the Great Commission, the charge to “go preach” directed them to a great group of people – “all nations” (Matt. 28:19; Lk. 24:47). Up to this time, they had been operating under the Limited Commission, only taking the gospel of the kingdom to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5-7). Yet, under the Great Commission, the word was to be preached to “every creature” (Mk. 16:15). We should all be thankful that, even as we sing, the gospel is for all!
Possessed A GREAT MESSAGE: The great message of the Great commission is the “gospel,” the fact that “repentance and remission of sins” is available through Jesus Christ (Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:47). The reality is that “all have sinned,” and that the “wages” of such sin “is death” (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Therefore, the message that my sins that would condemn me eternally can be forgiven is the greatest message!
Contained A GREAT PLAN: Within the Great Commission, we find a great plan for salvation when Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). By God’s grace and mercy, when one believes in Jesus the Christ and is baptized they are saved from their past sins. The Lord’s great plan for salvation could not be simpler to understand nor more necessary to obey. Thanks be to God for such a great plan!
Had A GREAT BEGINNING: In the Great Commission, Jesus said “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:47). The Great Commission had a great beginning as it was executed for the first time in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. There, men “from every nation under heaven” heard the great message of the death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ (vv. 5; 22-36). This moved those with a good and honest heart to believe in Jesus (v. 37). When they asked what they should do, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (v. 38). There was a great response as “those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (v. 41). Truly, the great commission had a great beginning and has been bearing great fruit every since!
David Eldridge