Therefore Go!

Perhaps in the 'olden' days a student might have heard the teacher at the front of the room say, "Therefore go Ye out for recess", or "go Ye therefore to the chalkboard and writeth the ABC's". Although 'therefore' isn't usually part of our every day vernacular, we know that it means 'for that reason'. It sounds official and proper and it draws attention to the following word, 'go'. The word carries importance, especially when Jesus uses this phrase in one of His last conversations on earth. It carries great value.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age," (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV).

The scripture shows us that Jesus was giving His disciples a command. I imagine Jesus standing with His arms raised over the disciples as He gives this final instruction. Often called the Great Commission, this instruction was written for all who follow Jesus. He gave His disciples the authority granted Him by God; it was a pep rally of sorts. Jesus was encouraging the disciples to carry on His mission by sharing all that they had experienced and seen with every person on the globe. Jesus was passing the baton to those who could finish the race. He reminded them to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit so believers would know their own death to a sinful life, and receive new life with Christ. Jesus reminded them to obey God, and perhaps most powerfully, Jesus assured them He would be with them always, "to the very end of the age".

Jesus spoke this instruction to the disciples and to you and me. We are to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We are to teach them what we have learned. We are to share the scriptures and stories with others. We are to baptize in the name of the Trinity. We are to live as examples of a saved people; always sinners, and always forgiven by our Savior's blood shed on the cross.

Listen carefully as you pray tonight and hear Jesus calling you, "Therefore Go!"