The Holy Trinity
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
-- Matthew 28:20
This passage is often referred to as the great commission. It has inspired the church to take on the task of mission throughout the world. But imagine what it must have sounded like to those first disciples. Remember that the disciples had lost both their leader and had their ranks thinned by the betrayal of Judas. From a human perspective, it is amazing that they stayed together at all. Now, try to imagine this small band of frightened disciples hearing that their task was to transform the whole world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations ... and [teach] them to obey everything that I have commanded you." In our contemporary experience, we know how easy it is for a church to be overwhelmed by the challenge before them and be convinced that they do not have the resources or ability to succeed.
It might be helpful for such a church to reflect on the challenge before the original disciples. Jesus framed the task before the disciples with two statements. First, all authority in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus. Therefore, the disciples actually had far more resources than they realized. Second, Jesus promised that he would be present with them. In our contemporary situation, if Jesus has the authority, then the issue is not whether we have the ability but whether we are clear about his commission for us. If Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, then we need not fear the challenges we confront in the world. When any church seeks to determine what its specific mission is, the discussion should center on what God wants the church to do and not whether they have the ability or resources to accomplish their mission. God, who brought order out of chaos by merely speaking a word, can give order to our chaos when we listen to the word God speaks to us.
-- Matthew 28:20
This passage is often referred to as the great commission. It has inspired the church to take on the task of mission throughout the world. But imagine what it must have sounded like to those first disciples. Remember that the disciples had lost both their leader and had their ranks thinned by the betrayal of Judas. From a human perspective, it is amazing that they stayed together at all. Now, try to imagine this small band of frightened disciples hearing that their task was to transform the whole world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations ... and [teach] them to obey everything that I have commanded you." In our contemporary experience, we know how easy it is for a church to be overwhelmed by the challenge before them and be convinced that they do not have the resources or ability to succeed.
It might be helpful for such a church to reflect on the challenge before the original disciples. Jesus framed the task before the disciples with two statements. First, all authority in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus. Therefore, the disciples actually had far more resources than they realized. Second, Jesus promised that he would be present with them. In our contemporary situation, if Jesus has the authority, then the issue is not whether we have the ability but whether we are clear about his commission for us. If Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, then we need not fear the challenges we confront in the world. When any church seeks to determine what its specific mission is, the discussion should center on what God wants the church to do and not whether they have the ability or resources to accomplish their mission. God, who brought order out of chaos by merely speaking a word, can give order to our chaos when we listen to the word God speaks to us.
