| |
The Resurrection changes everything – week 7
17 May - The Great Commission
Reading: Matthew 28 v.16-20
Icebreaker
Have you ever been given a commission/task which at first seemed overwhelming and beyond your capabilities? If so, you might like to share what it was and how you responded. This study is about a commission that Jesus gave to his disciples – a commission which has been passed down to us today.
Please read the passage:
Q.1 In ACTS the church takes on an evangelistic, missionary-orientated character that is not seen in the Gospels. Why do you think this is so?
They had met the risen Christ; they responded faithfully to Jesus’ commission
Q.2 Just 11 disciples went to Galilee (verse 16) yet throughout the Gospels we read of the “12 disciples”. It seems really sad that there were now just 11: “The number 11 limps … the church that Jesus sends into the world is fallible, ‘elevenish’ is imperfect.
Yet Jesus used exactly such a church to do his perfect work … Jesus takes the imperfect number and gives it a perfect vocation.” (Bruner) Why do you think we often “limp” along as Christians?
Yet even though we do, take courage: Christ who began a good work with 11 has commissioned us to continue it!
Q.3 Important things happen on mountains in the Bible (verse 16b) can you think of important things happening in Matthew’s Gospel? For example:
Sermon on the Mount; 3rd temptation of Jesus; Transfiguration; Mount of Olives
Q.4 Look back at verse 10 – what is the significance of this verse?
Women could not be witnesses in court, yet Jesus chose them to be witnesses to his resurrection. The usual custom was that men gave the orders and women obeyed, but here Jesus has women ordering men.
Why might the disciples be tempted not to obey?
-
They were being ordered by women
-
They might question how Jesus, who had been crucified, could now be alive
The journey from Jerusalem to Galilee would have taken several long and tiring days, yet the men set out, showing a real leap of faith. In verse 17, we see the first time the disciples had met with Jesus since his arrest. I wonder what they were thinking as they made there way to the place Jesus had instructed them. It was fitting they worshipped Jesus when they met him. They had seen with their own eyes that he was the Lord of life, with power even over death.
Yet we read that some doubted (Greek could also mean “hesitated”).
Q.5 why do you think this was so?
I don’t think they had any doubts that it was Jesus – was it that they doubted whether this was actually God? With their Jewish upbringing and monotheistic faith, it would not have been easy to say, as Thomas said, “My Lord and my GOD”.
In verse 18 (read also Daniel 7 v.14) Jesus now receives from the Father what Satan had offered when Jesus was tempted – an offer which, even if Jesus had accepted, Satan would probably have not kept. Throughout Matthew’s Gospel there is a note of Jesus’ kingship and authority. For example:
Genealogy 1.6Visit of the Wise Men 2.2Entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 21.5)
Pilate 27.11Soldiers 27.28Charge placed on the cross 27.17Mocking crowd 27.42
Now Jesus takes on that authority and kingship.
In verse 19 we see ‘The commission’ is to GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. To accomplish this the disciples must go, Baptize and teach. A ‘disciple’ = learner/student/follower. Any Jew aspiring to be a rabbi would have to ask a practicing rabbi to accept him as a disciple (modern equivalent might be an apprenticeship). The disciple was expected not only to learn what the rabbi taught, but also to practice what he preached. It was not just about learning – but about living!
Q.6 what do you think this means for the Christian Church today? And what does it mean for us as members of Ashtead Parish Church? How well are we fulfilling this commission? Are there any major “gaps” in what we are doing – and what part are you playing?
In verse 19a, the instruction is to make disciples of all nations. Greek-speaking Jews used the same word for “nation” to refer to Gentiles. Note the contrast between chapter 10 verse 5 and this new commission.
Q.7 why the difference?
Gentiles play a significant role in Matthew’s Gospel, even though it was written primarily to Jews. For example:
Genealogy 1.5Visit of the Wise Men 2.1Jesus’ ministry in “Galilee of the Gentiles” 4.15
Roman centurion 8.10-11Demoniacs 8.28Canaanite woman 15.28Centurion at the cross 27.54
It is worth pointing out that the disciples struggled with this at first, and Gentiles were only accepted if they first became Jewish proselytes. What do you think caused them to change their attitude? (Acts 10 a key passage, and also Paul’s teaching)
Verse 20. The call is not just to bring people to faith, but to enable them to grow as disciples. This is a lifelong process for us all! Note Jesus tell them to instruct new believers to “obey everything I have commanded you.”
This “Great Commission” is an overwhelming task. Our world is more complex, dangerous and hostile to Christians than ever before. There were more Christians martyred in the 20th century than at any time before, and numbers are likely to rise in the 21st century.
Q.8 so why should we not be fearful?
The task is impossible if we try to do it in our own strength. Jesus promised to be with us always, to the very end of the age. Our work is Christ-powered and Holy Spirit powered.
Prayer
These notes were prepared before the end of April so the situation with Covid-19 might have changed considerably. Perhaps you could look at the church website for the sort of things we should be praying for at this time.
If you google “Prayers for Coronavirus Church of England” you will be able to download a leaflet with lots of suitable prayers that you might like to use at this time.
Malcolm Raby
|
Malcolm Raby, 01/05/2020
|
|
| |
|
