Matthew 28:16-20 Introduction Are you concerned about your future? We are wired with the inclination to seek and know the future and how to control outcomes. The uncertainties of the future cause anxiety and worry. As we journey along in this new year and new decade many people are eager to find out what lies ahead and how much they can know so as to understand how to benefit from the opportunities while avoiding the collaterals and dangers inherent in the future. It would not be surprising that some people would solicit the help and services of psychics, palm readers, spiritist, and fortune tellers to enable them foretell or unlock the future. The reason may be because of the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty and the quest for clear answers on how to live.
However, for believers in Christ Jesus we may not know or need to worry about what lies ahead because thankfully we know He who knows tomorrow. Hear what the Sovereign Lord says in Isaiah 46:10 “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Our confidence lies in the truthful and comforting words of Jesus “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18 NIV. We are exhilarated by the overpowering presence of Jesus, his soothing promises, and his comforting words “fear not”. These things are guaranteed to believers so that we can confidently go about our master’s kingdom assignments. God is faithful, so we can trust in His sovereignty, claim His promises, and rest in His love. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
In Matthew 28:16-20 we will look at Jesus’s commands, his authority and power which forms the basis for his command and the promise of his enduring presence as his followers walk in obedience.
Divine Appointment – Matthew 28:16 Jesus had prior to his death informed the disciples of a designated place to meet him after his resurrection. His instruction to them was “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”Matthew 26:32 As we go through the year we need to pay attention to divine instinct. This will require us to be sensitive to the revelations from the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We will need reflective thinking to process, analyze and make judgments about things that happened in the past. Be aware that sometimes God may place in your heart the need to make a visit, meet with someone or even to change your location. We need to pray the Lord, to increase our sensitivity to divine appointments to pray for others, conveying to them God’s love, grace, and power.
In Luke’s account of the resurrection of Jesus, two angels chided the disciples for looking for the resurrected Christ in the graveyard. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.” Luke 24:5-8 Looking for the living among the dead was an inadvertent error that lacked deliberate appreciation of the words of Jesus. This was similar to the resurrection encounter on the road to Emmaus whereby two men discussed the crucifixion of Jesus and the confusion about his appearance. As they traveled a third person (Jesus) joined them without them recognizing him in their midst. Jesus, after he inquired about their anxious conversations said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Like 24:25. The angels emphatically told the disciples that Jesus was no longer in the grave but has risen. This year God will change people’s circumstances, move status, identities and cause a shift in positions for their greater good and God’s glory. It is important that you be aware of the divine shift and align yourself to the will of God.
Beware of Spiritual Amnesia In the texts the angels joggled the minds of the faithful women “Remember how he told you…Then they remembered his words” Luke 24:6-8 NIV Biblical engagement and meditating on God’s word will be key to divine encounters in this year. You will also need to remember God’s faithfulness in the past to enable you trust him for the future. Remember landmarks and memorial stones of accomplishments erected in the past and celebrate them in appreciation of God’s faithfulness. The negative effect of forgetting what God has done is the tendency to complain about unrealized expectations.
However, in Matthew’s account, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Matthew 28:16. Obedience to God’s instructions will help believers fully realize the promises of God. Sometimes our blessings may be embedded along the pathway of obedience. In Deuteronomy 30:16 Moses charged the people of God “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” We will experience God’s multidimensional blessings to the proportion we store his words in our hearts and obey those commands.
Worship the risen Lord “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” Matthew 28:17 The resurrection of Jesus unequivocally demonstrates the validity of his divine authority and claim to be the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The legitimate and true response to this encounter with the risen Lord was a heartfelt worship. The disciples saw him and worshipped. However some doubted. Why? Their hesitation may not be as a result of unbelief but it could be a struggle to appreciate the reality unfolding before them. Perhaps they needed a reassurance to what they had witnessed. Seek to clear your doubts before they make you become cynical. “The word of God gives enlightenment to the soul.” Psalm 119:7-11NIV. Believers must respond to the evidence of the resurrection of Christ with worship. Our worship become meaningful and authentic when we encounter the risen Lord. Our encounter must be transformational,so also is our worship.
The Great Commission 18Then 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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:18-19 Jesus’s divine authority and power over the created order has transcendent significance. His resurrection give ultimate validation to the divine authority. This authority is passed to the disciples to enable them continue the work of the kingdom. He demonstrated that power when he cast out devils, healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water and fed the multitudes. Although some religious people refused to acknowledge his power but demons recognized him and the Roman Centurion whose servant was miraculously healed recognized the authority of Jesus. Matthew 8:5-13 This is the same power that incarnated Jesus into the world for the redemption of the world- Divine Overshadow Luke 1:35 This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. 1 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 1:15-23* The same power is in you to carry out God’s purposes on earth.
Committed The great commission to go and make disciples is a command and a positive one for that matter. The only response lies in its obedience and faithful execution of the task. The success is evidenced in faithfulness and not necessarily how many converts. However, whenever we show commitment God releases the harvest. This is because the commission has the backing of the resurrected Savior. It cannot fail! Are you committed?
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The promise of Christ’s presence is the most important empowerment the church needs to carry out the Lord’s mission here on earth. The promise of Christ’s presence gives confidence, builds hope and guarantees protection.
Conclusion Christ’s power has guaranteed us all that we need to live godly here on earth and carry out the master’s assignment of soul winning. Commitment is required of us and obedience is the indicator.
