Matthew 28:16-20 John 15:9-17
It is the Sunday before Mardi Gras and we are happy to have guests here from all over the country who have come to New Orleans in answer to God's call on your life. The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20 says we are to go into the world with the message of Christ and that is what you are doing and we are grateful you have answered the call.What was the context of this instruction? Jesus had died a terrible, painful death. He had been buried and to the horror of Pilate and the establishment Jews, three days later, Jesus walked out of his grave. Matthew 28:16 says, "the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion." This coldly reminds us that there had been a betrayal. We know it was Judas who basically turned Jesus over to what became history's most famous death squad.
The next verse says, "The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about ricking themselves totally." This is not the first time we learn about the disciples being unsure. They all must have doubted during their three years with Jesus because they simply were human and could not grasp all he was saying and doing. You will have doubt because you are a Jesus-follower. That is Satan at work on you. If you have never doubted I doubt you are saved! Doubt is good when it is understood and taken as a compliment that Satan is out to get you.
Next, in Matthew 28:18-20 we read, "Jesus gave his charge: 'God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day and right up to the end of the age."
To refresh your mind about the commands of Jesus, turn to John 15. In the 9th verse Jesus says, "If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love." What are those commands? There are just two. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself, right? Luke 10:27 and Mark 12:30-31 are two places where we find these commands.
John 15:11-15 makes the second command very clear. Jesus says, "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends."
The Matthew passage says that Jesus was authorized by God to instruct us. Remember, this is not a god like one of the gods Pharaoh worshiped. We are taking about THE God. The God of Moses. The God who parted the sea and made water flow from a rock! You and I are empowered by, through the resurrected Jesus, to go into the world and love people the way Jesus loved us and as we do this, we have the power of THE God working in us. If we get scared, like the disciples did, we go to our knees in prayer. If we doubt, like the disciples did, we go again to God in prayer because why? Because Jesus said, don't worry. He said, don't wonder and don't wander because I will be with you, day in and day out until the end of this life as we know it. Amen.
