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Transcription
Jesus' last message to his disciples is known as the Great Commission. He wants them to go out into the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey his commands. This is a powerful message based on his authority. Jesus emphasizes the importance of spreading the word and not just talking about him, but also baptizing and teaching others to follow him. By carrying out this mission, we step out of our comfort zones and Jesus promises to be with us. The transcript ends with a personal prayer, asking for forgiveness for not spreading the good news and a commitment to be more enthusiastic and generous in sharing it. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for February 6, 2024. Today we will be reading from Matthew 28, verses 18-20. Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and in 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. That last hug, that last kiss, that last look, that last wave, each of them is very important when you are leaving someone you love, especially if it could be the last time you see them for a while. But the last word, that one last message, is precious. You try to make it pleasant, you try to make it memorable, you try to make it affectionate, but most of all you want your one last word to count. The Great Commission is Jesus' last earthly message to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. While Jesus still leads and guides, this is the message he wants his disciples to remember as his parting command. This is his final message. He stresses emphatically that it is based on his authority over everyone and everything and everywhere. What is that message? Go and make disciples. Notice, Jesus doesn't just want us going everywhere telling about him. Notice, he doesn't just want us baptizing everyone we see. Notice, he doesn't just want us to teach others to follow him. He wants us to do all three. He says go, baptize, and teach to obey so they too will be his disciples. When we heed these marching orders, we then go out of the shadow of our church buildings and culture and he will go with us. That's it. That's Jesus' one last word. It's also our first word. Your personal worship option today is, Almighty God, I know you sent Jesus so the world could be saved. I know that means more than them just hearing about Jesus. I know you want people to be true followers, to be disciples. So forgive us, Father, for the times we have procrastinated because we worried the job was too big, too hard, too expensive, or too demanding personally. We will try, I will try, to be more excited and generous with sharing the good news with others in this coming year. I know, as I do, Jesus will go with me. So may this year be to your glory and to you, Jesus, honor and praise. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
