The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 28:18-20,
"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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
These words of Jesus brings Matthew's amazing and stunning book about the life of Jesus Christ to a close. To be clear, it is the close of Matthew's gospel - and not the close of Jesus' life (he lives on!)... after all, the book informs us of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and within its pages (and particularly for me, 23:30-51 and 25:31-46) we read of the return of Jesus Christ, both to gather those who are his, who are destined to eternal life, as well as to judge those who reject Jesus Christ, those that are destined to eternal death.
Frequently these verses are referred to as the "Great Commission". They include a three part imperative Jesus gave his disciples: make disciples, baptize them and teach them.
However, there is more here that we can learn of from this commission Jesus gave. It expresses what God is doing in this age. It answers the question as to why this age that we live in exists and the purpose of our lives within it. It is not complicated and it is not difficult to understand. What is bewildering is that more people do not seem to be clear on it.
Here it is: God's purpose for this age is to build his kingdom, to build his family. This is God's agenda for today! This is God's program for this age, it is what is on his calendar for this age, it is what is on his docket.
God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son to make a way for sinful man to enter his family, his kingdom. By dying on the cross, Jesus took our punishment on himself to satisfy our Heavenly Father's precise sense of justice and only asks us to embrace him in faith.
In an interesting observation, Peter speaks of why this age exists and why it has lasted as long as it has, "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.'... But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:3-9.
God is wanting as many as who are willing to "come to repentance" that they may enter into the next age as a member of his family, an age without end… eternal life! He is building his kingdom!
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
These words of Jesus brings Matthew's amazing and stunning book about the life of Jesus Christ to a close. To be clear, it is the close of Matthew's gospel - and not the close of Jesus' life (he lives on!)... after all, the book informs us of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and within its pages (and particularly for me, 23:30-51 and 25:31-46) we read of the return of Jesus Christ, both to gather those who are his, who are destined to eternal life, as well as to judge those who reject Jesus Christ, those that are destined to eternal death.
Frequently these verses are referred to as the "Great Commission". They include a three part imperative Jesus gave his disciples: make disciples, baptize them and teach them.
However, there is more here that we can learn of from this commission Jesus gave. It expresses what God is doing in this age. It answers the question as to why this age that we live in exists and the purpose of our lives within it. It is not complicated and it is not difficult to understand. What is bewildering is that more people do not seem to be clear on it.
Here it is: God's purpose for this age is to build his kingdom, to build his family. This is God's agenda for today! This is God's program for this age, it is what is on his calendar for this age, it is what is on his docket.
God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son to make a way for sinful man to enter his family, his kingdom. By dying on the cross, Jesus took our punishment on himself to satisfy our Heavenly Father's precise sense of justice and only asks us to embrace him in faith.
In an interesting observation, Peter speaks of why this age exists and why it has lasted as long as it has, "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.'... But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:3-9.
God is wanting as many as who are willing to "come to repentance" that they may enter into the next age as a member of his family, an age without end… eternal life! He is building his kingdom!
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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