Matthew 28:16-20
Up until now, Jesus had only permitted his disciples to preach to the Jews. In sending the 12 disciples out he charged them to go through the towns of Israel to preach. He did the same when sending the 72, sending them only into Israel. Jesus’ interaction with Gentiles was sparse and cautious while inside the country, and while outside, he even forced the Syrophoenician woman to appeal to his great power and mercy on account of Jesus reminding her that he was sent first to preach to the Jews.
But now the disciples were to preach him to the world. The veil in the Temple had been torn in two. The New Covenant was signed with Jesus blood and sealed with his resurrection. The promise was now to those who clung to Christ by faith.
So the disciples were to go out and make disciples of all the nations. All authority had been given to Jesus. Salvation was his not only by birth but by right. God the Father had placed all authority under his sin conquering Son, and his first act was to spread his mercy and love beyond the borders of Israel.
Jesus had risen and instructed the disciples to go to Galilee. He had appeared to them just as he said he would, yet some still doubted. These were Jesus’ intimate friends. They were those who knew him best. His demeanor and appearance. The sound of his voice and its inflections. They new all the things specifically unique to him – and yet still some doubted.
But they would not doubt for long. Pentecost was only weeks away. The disciples resolve was strengthening with every visit from Jesus, and the power of God was sweeping them up in his love to propel them to obey Christ’s Great Commission.
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