The Great Commission

The Great Commission…have you heard that term before? Christianity is great at using terms the general public isn’t familiar with, and sometimes we use terms even we aren’t familiar with as believers.    A recent study shows that more than 50% of U.S. churchgoers don’t know what that term, ‘Great Commission,’ means. And when asked if they had heard of the Great Commission, half of U.S. churchgoers say they don’t know that term. Maybe our priorities need tweaking.    Matthew 28:19 says, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”    Although the Great Commission is not a term used in the Bible, it does describe the command Jesus gave us to share the Good News of His sacrifice for our sins.    In this way, He provides a way for people to be reconciled to God, and this is the greatest news anyone will ever hear. Christians should be excited about this action plan. Matthew chapter seven indicates that the path leading to God is narrow, and that many are on the broad path that leads away from God. This truth should motivate us as Christians to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission.    The Bible tells us that this activity will have an endpoint. We should have a sense of urgency about that.    The gospel of Jesus Christ was literally born in the Middle East. Jesus’ disciples took his words to heart and began preaching and teaching about him in Israel, then to all the regions around the Mediterranean basin. From there, the gospel spread quickly into Europe and beyond.    Today, even with all our technology in hundreds of years of sending missionaries to remote parts of the world, not everyone has heard the good news about Jesus. We have our marching orders. It’s time to move.    Let’s pray.    Father, we know that no matter what—time is passing, we want all people to come to a saving faith in your Son, Jesus. Remind us daily that we should have a sense of urgency about sharing your good gift with everyone we come into contact with. In Jesus’ name, amen.