“Looking Forward”

2 Samuel 19-20; Psalms 55; Matthew 28

“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.”

Matthew 28:18-20

These final words of Jesus to his disciples in Matthew’s gospel follow a period of incredible trauma and pain. The betrayal of Jesus, his tortuous death, and the shocking resurrection had deeply shaken the disciples, so much so that as these words were being spoken by the resurrected Christ, some of his disciples doubted it was really Jesus. Jesus didn’t engage the doubters; instead, he refocused the attention of his disciples on their collective mission. Jesus’ call to make disciples, baptizing them into a new identity, and teaching them to obey all that Christ had commanded, focused the disciples on the future.

Are we focused on our past disappointments, fears, doubts, and pain?

Or, are we living on mission with Jesus and walking in his authority as we make disciples of all nations?

“Lord Jesus, lead me forward with you on your mission, for your glory.”