Like last week’s text, this week’s passage is also
famous. “The Great Commission” in Matthew 28 has long formed the
basis for the Church’s efforts in world evangelism. The Church of the
Nazarene’s mission statement, which calls us to make Christ-like disciples
in the nations, mirrors the language of verse 19. Again, it’s tough
for us to approach this text without presuppositions about its meaning, but
if we can listen with fresh ears, God is saying some profound things through
this passage.
The context of this week’s passage is one of hope and
wonder as well as fear and doubt. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus revealed himself
to the disciples, who were awed by His post-resurrection presence (vv. 1-10).
At the same time, the chief priests and elders initiated a cover-up for the
resurrection, sowing seeds of bribery and deceit among the people (vv. 11-14).
When the disciples met Jesus again, they worshipped Him, “but
some doubted” (v. 17, nrsv). In this context of worship and doubt, Jesus
gives His commission. He begins and ends with a promise: the authority in
heaven and on earth is His, and belongs to no other. “Therefore, go,”
Jesus says. And as they go, the disciples are to remember He is with them,
until the end (or completion) of the age (v. 20). It’s as if Jesus really
does understand their doubts and fears. He understands that if the disciples
went into a world in which Jesus had no authority they would be doomed to
fail. If they went without Him, their efforts at disciple-making would be
futile.
It is interesting that the lectionary lists this passage as
the Gospel reading for Trinity Sunday. In the midst of these promises and
commission, Jesus names the members of the Trinity, as if to remind the disciples
that their mission in the world cannot be separated from the fullness of God.
The new disciples are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit,
not just in the name of Jesus.
The disciples were facing an uncertain future. They had never
experienced resurrection before, and even in the presence of the risen Christ,
some had their doubts. Yes, Jesus was risen, but would He leave them again?
Would the Jewish leaders come and kill them, too? What happens now?
Our people also have doubts. We are bombarded with growth strategies,
methodologies, and motivation-by-guilt geared to making our lives and ministries
effective. We preachers, in turn, do our best to inspire, motivate, and encourage
our people to become missional Christians. In the midst of all this, some
of our people (and maybe some of us) are wondering if all our efforts, programs,
and services are really making an impact in the lives of real people.
My wife and I co-pastor in a small town south of Kansas City.
From the church’s front door one can look out and see 2 drug houses.
Many folks in our town suffer from some form of depression. Alcohol, marijuana,
and methamphetamine are destroying the lives of kids in the school across
the street. Sometimes it’s tough to look at our town and see the glorious,
powerful, life-changing work of the living God. At times it’s easy to
doubt. Sometimes it’s tempting to hunker down, focus on our own “Christian
thing” at the church, and pretend the world outside doesn’t exist
and isn’t screaming for help.
God’s answer to these doubts rings loud and clear: The
authority is His. The power is His. He is with us. Therefore, go. This passage
calls us to remember that not one of our programs has ever saved anyone. Tweaking
our methodology does not transform someone from darkness into light. Only
God has that ability. It’s a good thing to remember that as we “go,
therefore” we do not go alone. Thanks be to God, because if we did try
to go alone, we would surely fail. We might succeed in getting more bodies
in our building, but the true life-transformation we seek would fall flat
on its face.
We would also do well to remember Trinity Sunday this week.
The gospel we share and participate in is no less than participation in the
Godhead. We are invited into this awesome, powerful dynamic that exists between
the Father (who loves), the Son (the beloved) and the Spirit (the love that
flows between Father and Son). This God is active in our world, transforming
lives every day. We must join Him in His work.
Therefore, go . . . and remember. As Nazarenes, we say we believe
in prevenient grace, the grace of God that “goes before,” working
in the lives of all people, drawing them to God. In response to this passage,
we must live as if prevenient grace really does exist. We must remember, and
call our people to remember, that in a world full of murder, hatred, exploitation,
and waste God still has all authority and power. When we engage in God’s
mission to the world, we are not going anywhere God has not already been.
Those words are easy to say, but difficult to live out. What
if we truly believed that God is working in the drug-infested neighborhoods
of our big cities, suburbs and small towns? What if God is doing something
where depression, family conflict, alcoholism, and financial crisis runs rampant?
If prevenient grace really does exist, then our response must be to roll-up
our sleeves, prepare to get dirty, remember Christ is with us, and “go.”
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
In this sermon, I help folks explore their feelings of doubt.
Rather than simply lay out the Commission and challenge them to go win their
friends to Jesus, I think it’s important to build to a moment of honesty
where we look at our world, both inside and outside of the Church, and begin
to deal with what we really see. A good drama, monologue, or video could set
the stage well here.
Once we reach that moment of honesty, Jesus’ promises
and commission can impact us in a whole new way. In the presence of doubt,
Jesus offers His power and presence, leading His Church into a hurting world
with a message of life and hope. This sermon shouldn’t be another incidence
of motivation-by-guilt. Matthew 28 must be preached with a tone of promise
and optimism.
