Jesus told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20, NLT
What does Christ’s great commission mean? How can imperfect people carry this out? What happens if we do not obey Christ’s commission?
Conquering Versus Being a Witness?
To understand the Great Commission, we need to look at the difference between conquering versus being a witness.
Conquering is defined as a person who conquers a place or people. Conquering is imposed, demanded, and often ruthless. The motive behind conquering is to take without regard, and it is not the heart or way of Jesus Christ.
Witness in the Bible has many usages and meanings. It can mean the evidence of a transaction or an event, the person who testifies to what they saw, knew, or experienced, or the one who attests to their belief in the gospel by personal suffering. A witness can also refer to Jesus as the faithful witness of heavenly things. The Greek word for witness is a martyr.
When Jesus lived on the earth and showed us how to live under the authority of God and bring him glory and honor. Many Jewish people believed the Messiah would come according to the world’s definition of power and conquer enemies, the Romans. They were earthly-minded and wanted to rule over Rome. They believed the Messiah would be a military force and solve their oppression from Rome. They didn’t see Jesus as the Savior of their hearts and souls on earth and into eternity.
The entire life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus focused on saving our souls and reconciling us to our loving Father, God, on earth and into eternity. Jesus wanted to show us the heart of God through his heart, words, and actions. He was the witness of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, healing, grace, and faithfulness. Jesus knew our lives are fleeting and that every person will face an eternity with them or in hell.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
John 14:6, NLT
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 3:36, ESV
Discipleship Creates Witnesses
When Jesus gave us the Great Commission, he did not tell us to focus on power, control, or conquer unbelievers or the world. He NEVER said it was our job to save the world because he is our only Savior. Jesus tells us that he conquered the power of sin over his disciples and death. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, we must go and make disciples.
Discipleship requires learning, being Christ’s witness, teaching, and living in all the ways of Jesus and God to bring them honor and glory. It is not about being powerful or forceful in our own strength. It’s about surrendering our desires, dreams, plans, thoughts, words, and actions to our Father, God. Being Christ’s disciple means we will witness, or share with others, how Jesus has changed our minds, hearts, souls, and lives.
Following Jesus means we will fulfill the Great Commission no matter what it costs us to give others the option to choose Jesus. When we dwell with Jesus daily, we understand how much he loves the lost and broken because we feel his supernatural unconditional love. We understand God created us to help others know His love, mercy, forgiveness, grace, salvation through Jesus and a new spiritual life on earth and into eternity.
We Are Empowered in Christ for God’s Purpose
God empowers us through the Holy Spirit that lives in all of Christ’s disciples. However, everything we do, even in the power of the Holy Spirit, comes under our Father, God’s authority. The apostle Paul tells us that the power we receive from the Holy Spirit helps us to be witnesses of Christ’s saving gospel.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8, NASB
For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 22:15, NASB
But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;
1 Peter 3:15, NASB
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Ephesians 1:20-23, NLT
Every disciple’s thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions can be a witness to Christ’s saving love, or they can create a roadblock for non-believers and new believers. When Jesus has reached into the darkest canyon of your life and lifted you into his love, forgiveness, healing, and freedom, how can you keep his amazing gift of a new life to yourself?
It’s time to shine your witness light of Christ’s hope, love, and salvation. One day Jesus is coming back for all his disciples! Share his good news with a world searching for love, value, belonging, purpose, and the realization that they can choose what happens to them after their body dies. Obey your Savior, Jesus, and fulfill his Great Commission through the witness of your salvation story!
“Our Lord’s conception of discipleship is not that we work for God, but that God works through us.”
Oswald Chambers
