Matthew 28 | The All-Inclusive Commission

And Jesus came up and spoke to them. “All authority has been given to me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 2:18-20)

A man’s final words are often the most important. For the Son of God, His final words on earth outline what His followers are to do. We call it the great co-mission because it was Christ's mission, which we are now invited to join. Every believer should understand this verse fully and follow it faithfully. Notice the 4 "ALLS" of our calling.

ALL AUTHORITY has been given to Christ in heaven and earth (vs. 18).

Christ is supreme and absolute in His authority. In that authority, He imparted authority and power to all those who believe and follow Him. He alone could give this commission and when He extends it to us it empowers us. We go in the name and the authority of the King!

ALL THE NATIONS are to receive the gospel (vs. 19).

We are not to be selective and we are not to be prejudiced in our approach. Everyone is to receive this good news! And we are reminded in the last book of the Bible that God is in the process of making a kingdom of "every tongue and tribe and people and nation."

ALL THAT HE COMMANDED is to be taught to new believers (vs. 20).

We must not leave anything out. All of Christ's teaching is critical for a new disciple to here. We must be thorough in our discipleship. If we are to produce a reproducing disciple of Christ, we must help them grow by giving them all of God’s truth.

He is with us ALWAYS! (vs. 20).

We are never alone in this task! He has provided a way, though the indwelling of His Spirit to be with us every place at any time in our task. Pentecost opened this possibility and the centuries since have proven His presence is available for all who surrender their lives to Him.

If these ALLS are clear, then we should be about this task ALL THE TIME!

Father, thank You for making our task so clear. Forgive us for our passivity and help us—even today—to be about the most important task. Help us “make disciples of all the nations” and let us never stop until the work is done!