What’s it there for?

The Great Commission is an invitation to participate in the download of heaven’s kingdom to the Earth realm. There is something so amazing about being invited to the greatest mission of all time.

Do you know what the mission is? I’d love to describe the Mission to you, so you can join it and invite others to participate as well. Hence the term “Commission”, which means to participate with and actively promote a project or task. 

So, what is this incredible mission, and how can we get involved? Matthew 28:19 says, “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.” (Matthew 28:19, NIV). 

1. It all starts with the word “therefore”. It’s important to understand one thing before we can join this mission: the mission is built on what’s before “therefore.” It’s in Matthew 28:18: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me.”” (Matthew 28:18, NIV) Wow! Jesus has all authority! Therefore…
2. The second important word is “Go”. Think about that. Meditate on it. Philosophize about it. Jesus is saying, “I have all authority in Heaven and Earth, therefore it’s time to GO.” The Great Commission is an active mission.
3. The third set of words tells us where we should go: “into all the world.”

I believe human nature compels most of us to strive for comfort and stability. The Great Commission is destabilizing. It invites me to do things that are hard, uncomfortable and countercultural. 

God is inviting you to participate in the Great Commission. He thinks you are crucial for the success of this mission. The great missionary Jim Elliot once journaled these words before he was violently murdered by the ones he was trying to reach: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Most of us will not be martyred when we participate in this mission, but we will surely need to give, sacrifice, forgive, pray, love and lead people. We will start companies that serve our communities; we will help addicts and single moms. We’ll visit the elderly and feed the poor. We’ll build strong families and friendships. We’ll be the light of the world and partner with God in the Great Commission.

That’s why you’re a miracle.