Day 18

Our Savior’s Great Commission

from the Because He Lives reading plan


Matthew 28:16-20, Daniel 7:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

BY Erin Davis

Allow me to show you two snapshots of my life.

In the first frame, I am a new believer on a mission trip to Jamaica. Our team went door to door handing out bags of seeds and sharing the gospel with any natives who would listen, a venture that was terrifying for me. First, the idea of talking to strangers (much less strangers in a foreign country) was intimidating. Second, sharing my faith scared me so much that I lied and claimed I had the spiritual gift of intercessory prayer. While the team knocked on doors, I stood at a distance and pretended to pray. Lest you desire to give me the benefit of the doubt—don’t. I lied about spiritual gifts to get out of sharing the good news, one of many reasons I am gobsmacked by the goodness of God’s grace.

Snapshot two is more recent. I was invited to speak in a remote fishing village in Alaska. I would be dropped by bush plane into a region with no phones, where I would teach a native people group who were openly hostile to the gospel. My knees still knocked. My palms were plenty sweaty. But I went and delivered the good news to anyone who would listen—and a few who didn’t want to.

What shifted? I got a bigger view of God.

Here in chapter 28, the book of Matthew comes to a close with an awe-inspiring encounter between Jesus and His disciples. It’s a moment that could have been pulled from the movie Braveheart. The disciples have already scattered in fear during Jesus’s trials. They were nowhere to be found as He was being crucified and murdered. They mourned as His body was placed in a borrowed tomb. And then… they got a bigger view of God too. They felt the earth tremble as an angel rolled the stone away. They peeked inside the empty tomb. They ran their fingers along the scars in His hands. Everything they thought they knew about Jesus expanded, because now they served a risen Savior.

That’s why, when Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v.18), they knew His words were true. And when He told them to “go,” they got busy going. Believer, aren’t you glad they did?

Church, we have been commissioned to go and tell, to preach and praise, to be disciples and make disciples. And there is only one reason to do it, one truth that will get our feet unstuck: Jesus. Is. Worthy. In this Lenten season may we gain a bigger view of Him. There’s a whole world waiting for us to go and tell.

Post Comments (32)

32 thoughts on "Our Savior’s Great Commission"

  1. Katelynn Barlowe says:

    God is telling me today: be open. Watch. Listen. Remind yourself of who I am and who you are. Surrender.

    This is how I can walk around ready.

  2. Sue says:

    “And remember. I am with you always…” Mt 28:20

    What a comforting thought – Jesus sends us into this world, but he does not send us alone. May we be strengthened by this fact.

    1. Johnna Johanson says:

      ❤️

  3. Abby says:

    Making disciples: that’s parenting right there!! It’s so hard, and sometimes we take shortcuts to get our kids to listen to us (losing our tempers when they are not listening). But, in the last verse Jesus says, “I will be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message) This knowledge and comfort is what encourages me and reframes my parenting!

    1. Elisa Morey says:

      Abby-I needed this today! A friend of mine always says she’s not raising “good kids” but Jesus loving, kind, Adults. I’m happy I’m not alone in this mom life.

    2. Sarah Garza says:

      Thank you Abby for sharing this point of view. I’m expecting my first child and I really need to hear this message and be reminded parenting is making disciples!!

    3. M A says:

      Yes! Our most important jobs as parents — making disciples of our children.

    4. Julie Smith says:

      I love this way of thinking about parenting. Thanks Abby

  4. Churchmouse says:

    From time to time I have been asked to share my faith in front of various groups. At the top of the page of my notes I write Psalm 19:14. Every morning when I rise, I pray this verse. I want my thoughts to focus on Jesus my Lord and I want my words to proclaim Him as my Redeemer and Rock. I desire to soak the Truth in love. God gives us the gift of speech and tells us to go and tell. We are to be His ambassadors. I don’t always do it well. I get some push back and occasionally outright hostility. But that doesn’t negate His commission to press on and point others to Him. First and foremost I want my testimony to be acceptable to Him. And you know, it always is. Because it’s my testimony, no matter how much it may lack in eloquence. It’s my story of what He has done for me. Only silence is unacceptable to Him. I don’t want the rocks to cry out because I haven’t.

    1. AnneLyn P says:

      Thank you, Churchmouse. An encouragement….

  5. Shawn Parks says:

    Jesus said:
    Go-Do not stay in the place where you are that is comfortable.
    Make-Create something that is not into something that is.
    Baptize-Wash away the old to reveal something completely new
    Teach-Instruct those who don’t know what they need to know
    Remember-Bring back to the forefront of your mind a thought again and again

    Jesus spoke in action verbs. He used transitions and prepositions to make the order of these actions very clear. He knew that we couldn’t teach others if our feet stuck in the mud of our own comfort. He knew that instructing new believers about the faith would keep them from falling away. In his great wisdom and mercy he realized that we would be filled with fear and doubt about our own abilities to do this and about how we would be received so he commanded that we “remember” that we are not alone or ill-equipped for this work. Jesus is with us.

    He lived in action verbs: healing, teaching, rebuking, loving, saving, sacrificing, suffering, dying, rising, and commanding. To live by his example, we need to live in his action verbs as well: I can not just BE a Christian I have to DO the work of Christ.

    1. Sarah Smith says:

      I love this!! I wrote down your post in my notes because it breaks it all down. Thank you!

    2. Sarah Kensy says:

      This really spoke to my heart this morning. Thank you!!

    3. Sharon W says:

      Excellent and very methodically thought out, thanks for putting it out there so simply. ✝️

    4. Nora Hutcheson says:

      Love this! Thank you!❤️

  6. Angie says:

    This morning my SRT book was opened up to Day 26 on my desk. I read those scriptures thinking it was today’s verses. All the way through I am thinking, “Thank you Lord, this is exactly what I need, and that I need to share.” Then I started my computer to read the devotional to go with it and realized it was the wrong day. But God knew what I needed this morning with our short-interrupted nights, and waiting days. Our all-knowing, all-loving God takes my breath away with His completeness, His goodness, His mercy and grace. I am so thankful. Praise God for who He is and that He is mine and I am His.

  7. Kristen Marino says:

    Thanks you, Tina! I think so many can get nervous out of fear or being a disappointment. My coworker, that passed away, reminded me of God’s Word before I had to go in front of s crowd to speak. He said to remember that I shouldn’t fear, because I will be given the words. I still remember that and it was over 5 years ago. Please God remind us of Your Word, give us the right words, give us courage, and the right way to tell others about You. Please let us remember that You can help us, and we and don’t have to fear bring a disappointment. It can be hard not to think like that, God. Please speak to us. In Jesus’ Name amen

  8. Tina says:

    The song ‘Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere..’ came to mind as I read your words Erin…. Though it’s a gospel song of the birth of Jesus, the chorus words are commission sounding…

    I remember inviting my little sister to a conference many years ago.. It rained so much and heavily too, that we were not able to get out of the car for hours… so we sat reconnecting and being real, honest and truthful about our lives with each other.. we poured out our hearts on many things and I remember somewhere between thunder and seriously heavy rain and steaming up the Windows, she said.. “..you will make a great speaker one day.. ”

    I can share the gospel with my small group, I can speak of the great things I have seen God do in my life to loved ones, people I know, who perhaps won’t judge me or mock me.. But… the stranger, the man/woman, I don’t know, is a fear I have..
    As I write the verse.. ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..’ has come to mind..
    Maybe I’m a coward. A worry wart. A scary cat..

    Recently I was travelling with a lady I didn’t know so well for work.. we chatted and the conversation got on to the subject of whst car I drove… I proceeded to tell her how I came by the car I drive now..
    I was visiting friends who had lost their son tragically a couple of winters ago, and on one of my journeys on a country road I saw no more than 5 of the Nissan jukes.. I found myself in conversation with God that perhaps my next car could be one of them.. I even chuckled…
    When it was time to leave my friends, I got up and as I touched my coat I realized we hadn’t prayed so I said shall we pray before I leave… and with that there was an almighty bang that shook the house.. my car had been hit by a drunk driver at 60mph!!
    I remember my friend profusely apologising and my words to her were “God’s got this..”

    When I relayed this story to the lady.. she said….”we’ve all gotta believe something..” Yeah we do, but here’s the thing I know. I know. I know. That was God. I know.!!!

    I can tell my stories. I can happily tell of what God has done for me.. but please don’t send me on mission… I am not ready.. I am not equipped or prepared for failure. Most of all i do not want to be a disappointment..

    Keep telling me the old story of Jesus.. keep telling me the story of His great love. Keep telling me the same old story,
    When I have cause to fear
    That this world’s empty glory
    Is costing me too dear;
    And when the Lord’s bright glory
    Is dawning on my soul,
    Tell me the old, old story:
    “Christ Jesus makes thee/me whole.”
    Keep telling me.. cos one day, one day soon I will open my mouth to tell strangers of this self same love of Jesus that has been my saving grace…

    Amen.

    Love and hugs sisters… always..xxxx

    1. Afua Tobigah says:

      Beautiful testimony

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