Meditations on the

Great Commission

                                                                                      

Provision

 

His disciples had seen the miracles done by Jesus. They had heard Him as He taught the principles of the kingdom of God.

 

And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,

And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."   Matthew 28:18-20

 

As we read these teachings today in the 21^st century, we can barely imagine what thoughts must have gone through the minds of the first disciples after His resurrection. They had been on an emotional roller coaster for some time. No matter how calm or simple their lives had been before Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me," it would never be that simple again.

 

Before meeting Jesus, in order to obtain their daily bread and fish for themselves and their families, they had provided goods or services to others. Peter and Andrew, James and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector for the Romans. Judas Iscariot was a linguist, scribe and a scholar. Paul of Tarsus, who joined them some years after Jesus' resurrection, made and sold tents.

 

Jesus honored the principle of honest work, and fair payment for that work. Yet, the principles of the kingdom of God go far beyond "earning a living." Having a job or selling goods usually comes under this category:

God helps those who help themselves.

From time to time, we hear this assertion from those who do not know the true teachings of Jesus.

Our Lord gave us these truths:

"Give, and it shall be given to you.

Seek and you will find

Knock and the door will be open to you."

 

These three principles each contain a commandment, and a promise.

The commandment, "give", requires faith and obedience

before the promise, "and it shall be given to you"

becomes reality in the physical realm.

 

In essence, Jesus taught that it is not in helping ourselves

that we have God's help, but it is in helping others.

 

We are called to put the needs of others ahead of our own.

This is clearly illustrated in Matthew 6, verses 25-34.

 

"Consider the lilies of the field...consider the birds of the air...

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you."

 

How many of us have read this passage and thought:

Righteousness - that means doing and saying what is right.

But what does the original Greek actually mean? It means relationship.

Our relationship to God must be in order - and by extension,

our relationship with our fellows will be in order also.

 

That does not mean that everyone will love us.

Jesus made it clear that we will have enemies

because of His WORD going forth through our lives.

 

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you,

be at peace with all men.

Never take your own revenge, beloved,

but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,

"VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.   

Romans 12:17-19

Let us be fruitful, and multiply!

Let us bless, and not curse.

We will then receive Our Father's blessing!

A M E N !