Jesus' Shared Wisdom

The Great Commission Introduction

You may have heard of the Great Commission by reading the Book of Matthew. If you haven't read it and have a Bible, I would recommend going to Matthew 28 for a better understanding of what I am talking about.
Matthew 28 is the last part of the Book of Matthew and occurs after Jesus comes back from the dead. Then, we are informed of the Great Commission when we read,

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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 16-20)

Near the end of Jesus's time on Earth, he commanded the eleven disciples to create new disciples that loved and followed Jesus. He commanded them to go into the world to teach people how to follow Jesus. The disciples were told to heal the sick and help the poor, as Jesus did.

That doesn't mean we are off the hook, however. Jesus wanted all of us to take part in the Great Commission. Jesus wanted everyone who associated themselves with Him to travel into the world.

You may have noticed that the cover of this book says, "Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
This bible verse is Luke 9:23. Jesus explains to us how in order to be true followers of Jesus, we must take up our cross each day. This means that we must show our commitment to Jesus by acting as he would have. We must go out into the world, teaching people about the love of Jesus and how to follow Him, regardless of the ridicule we face from them. We must go assist those going through hard times or cure those addicted to sin. We must go to our closest friends and family and talk to them about Jesus, even if it makes us uncomfortable.

The key word I want to spread is go.
Jesus did not intend for us to be passive, silent followers unwilling to make anyone aware of our faith. Jesus tells us that faith without action is dead. Faith without action doesn't mean anything to Him. Instead of keeping this faith for Jesus inside of us, hidden from the world, we must express it to the people around us. We must go, and perform good works in the name of Jesus, as He did back then.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
(James 2:14-17)

Do you find it odd that at the end of each chapter, I ask for you to share and teach what you learned to other people? The Great Commission is why I feel the importance of this message. If you simply read this book without sharing what you learned, what good would it do for Jesus? You would be helping yourself, instead of helping Jesus. By sharing and teaching this message, you are fulfilling a part of the Great Commission.

So don't be afraid! Go and teach people about the glory and love of Jesus Christ! Help the poor and those who sin. Remember that Jesus will be with you always.

In the next few chapters, I will go into more depth about the Great Commission. I'll explain the struggles you will face, but also explain the positive impact you will create. Stay tuned and thanks for reading!