The Great Commission is one of the most important teachings of Jesus, found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In the Bible, the Great Commission is the command from Jesus to all of his followers to share the Good News with the world. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20; ESV).”
The Great Commission is not simply an encouragement for Christians to evangelize—it is an epic mandate from God to humanity. The call to “make disciples” is one of the defining, foundational principles of Christianity. In other words, the Great Commission carries an incredible weight and importance, as it is Jesus’ final instruction for his followers and a powerful call to action for believers today.
This mandate is to bring the transforming message of the Gospel to all nations, not just the culturally acceptable nations. The Great Commission requires that believers go out and not just preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but to also make disciples and demonstrate what it truly looks like to live out the values and principles of being a true follower of Christ. It is not enough to just tell people the good news, they must be shown as well.
Although it can seem daunting to obey such a powerful command, the mission of the Great Commission is actually quite simple and straightforward. Jesus asks his followers to bring people to a knowledge of his love and the hope of eternal life. He calls for a passion for souls to be stirred up and his message of repentance and salvation declared wherever it needs to be heard. The commission has the capacity to reshape how we think and how we live, encouraging us to share our faith in a way that engages and impacts the people around us.
The response to the Great Commission should be a desire to know and be known by God and a deep love for the people he has created. As Christians, we are called to take initiative and non-violently proclaim that Jesus is Lord and no one else. It is a deep, intimate mission—one of love, one of intentional discipleship and revealing truth and grace with our lives. It is a commission that requires passion, courage, and endurance.
The Great Commission is an urgent commandment given to every generation to continue to spread the Good News to the entire world. It is a bold, incredible call to action by which we proclaim the mighty works of God so that all people may be saved. It is an invitation to all of us to be disciples of Jesus and to become a part of a Kingdom mission that will last to eternity.
Fulfilling The Commission
In order to fulfill the Great Commission, we must first understand and embrace the message of love and grace that Jesus came to proclaim. It is a response of love and obedience that comes from a heart that is devoted to God, a heart that truly longs to do his will. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be mindful and intentional about living out this call in a manner that honors and glorifies God.
In order to live out the Great Commission it is essential to be grounded in prayer, scripture and fellowship with other believers. In fact, many times, when we think of carrying out the Great Commission, the primary action is seen as evangelization. However, this task of spreading the Good News requires so much more than just talking with those who do not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
We must reach out to those who are in our local and global communities and demonstrate the love of Christ to them. We must be active in our churches, showing hospitality and building relationships with other believers. We must be generous with our resources, helping the less fortunate and using our gifts and talents for the Kingdom. In all of these ways, we can play a vital role in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Responding to The Commission
Responding to the Great Commission begins with accepting and acting upon the call of Jesus to go and make disciples. We must be committed to walking in obedience to the command, no matter the cost or difficulty. We must strive to know Jesus and make Him known, doing whatever we can to reveal the Good News to a world in desperate need of hope and redemption.
The challenge of following this call is not to be taken lightly. It requires a coordinated effort and an intentional commitment on the part of believers. However, even when it seems challenging, we are never alone in this endeavor. Throughout scripture, we read several encouraging reminders that God is with us and will offer strength and guidance every step of the way. As we make a commitment to follow the Great Commission, we can rest assured knowing that God will equip and empower us to carry out His will.
We must also remember that the Great Commission requires us to be a people of great faith and courage. When we are obedient to this mandate, we will be confronted with resistance, fear and hardship. This is why the command calls for us to remain courageous and keep our focus on the mission—to bring others to Jesus and make disciples of all nations.
The Impact of The Commission
The impact of the Great Commission is far-reaching and transformative. When we live out this mandate, we can have a profound impact on our world—one that exceeds what any human effort alone could desire to accomplish. By going out and taking up the task of making disciples, we are essentially helping to advance the Kingdom of God and its glorious mission on earth.
The Great Commission encourages us to be of service to others and actively proclaim the Gospel to all corners of our world. It is a call to be bold in our faith, to usher in hope and to be a living testament that reveals the love of God to our world. As we strive to obey this mandate, it has the power to transform our lives and the lives of those we encounter.
The Great Commission is a reminder of the heart of God and how he longs for all people to come to a knowledge of his incredible love. As believers, it is an incredible opportunity to join in with the mission of God and be a part of extending his love to the seeker and the unbeliever alike. As we answer this call, let us not forget that the power to fulfill this mission lies not in us, but in the Creator of the Universe who is ever faithful and ever eager to provide us with strength, guidance and courage to go forth and proclaim His love to the world.
Expressing The Commission
Expressing the Great Commission starts within our own hearts and lives. As believers, it is our job to be living examples of the Gospel by cultivating lives of obedience to God and of a deep, passionate love for others. We must strive to reveal the beauty, grace and mercy of Jesus to the world and also embody these values in our daily lives.
We must also acknowledge the power of prayer, praying without ceasing and interceding on behalf of others. We must stand united in praise and petition to the Lord for all to come to a knowledge of Him. And we must be sure to use the talents and gifts that God has given us to effectively share the Good News, reaching out in creative and innovative ways to help people engage with the Gospel.
Finally, we must remember to extend the same grace, love, and kindness that we have received from Jesus. This requires us to be patient and understanding when it comes to those who doubt or don’t believe, offering truthful and gentle answers. We should always be willing to take time to listen and to walk alongside people as they think through their questions and doubts, sharing the hope and peace that comes with a relationship with Jesus.
Leading By The Commission
Leadership within the Church is critical to the Great Commission and its effective execution. We must ensure that leaders are equipped to lead with gentleness, humility, and a spirit of servanthood. We must also cultivate an environment that is open to diversity and embrace the uniqueness of each individual.
We must remember that obedience to the Great Commission involves all of us—from church leaders to the newest members, from outreach ministers to the daily congregation. Every believer, in his or her own calling, can make an incredible contribution to the mission of Jesus. We can lead by example and by investing our time, resources, and energy into being faithful servants of God who live out the Great Commission.
The Great Commission has the potential to turn even the darkest places into a beacon of hope and light. As Christians, we have an incredible responsibility to continue to share this message with a world that is desperate for it. Let us be obedient to the magnificent call of our Savior, committing to faithfully serve and make disciples of all nations.
