Memory Verse Day 19: A Commanding Presence

Jesus isn’t preaching some kind of easy religion here – like tell everyone to ask me into their heart and have a vague feeling of love for me.  No, we are to make disciples – of all nations – and these disciples make a public stand for Jesus (baptism) – and they are taught to obey Jesus.

Jesus is building His Church.  We are not to only preach the word and then move on.  Of course there are times when we do that individually, but it’s not our goal.  Our goal is … well, everything Jesus has said in these three verses.  We’ll looking toward the end goal – disciples in every nation – baptised believers following the commands of Christ (Revelation 5:9-10).

These are not easy verses.  Not because they’re not clear – but because Jesus takes His position of authority and He issues commands.  And they’re radical – both for the disciples who were listening, and those who are believers today – and for those who are being asked to follow Him in the future.

However, the commands of Christ are sandwiched between two very comforting statements.  First, Jesus has authority.  We are going under the command of Someone who knows all things and has all power.

Now He affirms that He will be with us.

Us, I say – because He uses the words to the end of the age.  Jesus is clearly not just commanding the disciples who are there watching Him physically.  He’s commanding also those who will believe in Him through the disciples’ word (see John 17:20).  Every disciple – to the end of the age – has this promise of the presence of Christ.  And we know that the glory will be God’s – in the Church and in Christ – forever (Ephesians 3:14-21).