And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”1
The promise of his presence is premised on obedience. Jesus is the Lord of lords and the King of kings.2 God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.3 The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, . . .4 Are we willing to trust him?
Recall that Jesus turned water into wine.5 He fed the 5,0006 and the 4,000.7 He instructed Simon to go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and take from its mouth their tax money.8 To fulfill what was spoken about him by the prophet, Jesus instructed his two disciples, “Go into the village . . . and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”9 When he needed a venue for the Passover, he simply instructed his disciples to “Go into the city to a certain man . . .”10
God has been consistent; he commands us to be fruitful and multiply. In stages, God expects us to progress and mature, not allowing his chosen ones to settle or camp. Created in God’s image, Adam and Eve were instructed to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth . . .”11 After securing Noah and his family in an ark, later God said to Noah, “Go out from the ark (a safe place) . . . be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”12 To Abram the Lord said, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house (a comfortable and familiar place) to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”13
The promise still holds. You are not to be anxious about anything.14 Rather you are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.15 All authority is given to Jesus. And you are commanded to make disciples of all nations. Through the power and help of the Holy Spirit, you are to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.16
Notes:
1. Matthew 28:18-20
2. Revelations 17:14
3. Philippians 2:9-11
4. Psalm 24:1-2
5. John 2:1-11
6. Matthew 14:13-21
7. Matthew 15:32-39
8. Matthew 17:24-27
9. Matthew 21:1-3
10. Matthew 26:17-19
11. Genesis 1:26-30
12. Genesis 8:16-17
13. Genesis 12:1-3
14. Philippians 4:4-7
15. Matthew 6:33
16. Acts 1:8
