Today's Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Matthew 28: 16-20
Bible Study
This passage shows us the conclusion of the whole Gospel according to Matthew. N.T. Wright says:
It is clear that Matthew wants us to see that in Jesus the promise of the very first chapter has been fulfilled. Jesus is the 'Emmanuel', the one in whom 'God is with us' (1:23). Now he declares that he himself is 'with you always'.
In particular, Jesu has now been given 'all authority in heaven and earth'. People get very puzzled by the claim that Jesus is already ruling the world, until they see what is in fact being said. The claim is not that the world is already completely as Jesus intends it to be. The claim is that he is working to take it from where it was -under the rule not only of death but of corruption, greed and every kind of wickedness - and to bring it, by slow means and quick, under the rule of his life-giving love. And how is he doing this? Here is the shock: through us, his followers. The project only goes forward insofar as Jesus' agents, the people he has commissioned, are taking it forward.
Jesus has given us a project to do in our lifetime in order to fulfill his great commission to each Christian and to live out the purpose of our life. There are three things in this Jesus' project that we need to do as first priority:
1. To make disciples: This is to follow Jesus' example of calling the fishermen by the sea of Galilee, and trained them up as 'learners', imitating his way of life and coming little by little to understand his kingdom-message, so his followers ever since have the responsibility of calling men, women and children to follow him, and training them to understand and follow his message and his way. This is what we call "Evangelism".
2. To baptize them: The successful making of disciples leading people to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, through the water, to dying with Jesus and coming to share his new life and fully participate into Jesus' family which is the Church.
3. To teach: The gospel of Jesus generates a lifestyle quite different from the way the world lives. Baptized disciples need to be teachable to learn how to be more like Jesus. That is Christlikeness. We as Christians not only need to be taught but to be willing and able to participate in the process of teaching to lead more Christians to become mature Christians and not just a 'club member of a church '.
Well, you may think that you are not able to do that. But Jesus already declared that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. So, don't worry, Jesus has the total authority from God and he has commissioned you to do that.
How well are you doing Jesus' project?
It is clear that Matthew wants us to see that in Jesus the promise of the very first chapter has been fulfilled. Jesus is the 'Emmanuel', the one in whom 'God is with us' (1:23). Now he declares that he himself is 'with you always'.
In particular, Jesu has now been given 'all authority in heaven and earth'. People get very puzzled by the claim that Jesus is already ruling the world, until they see what is in fact being said. The claim is not that the world is already completely as Jesus intends it to be. The claim is that he is working to take it from where it was -under the rule not only of death but of corruption, greed and every kind of wickedness - and to bring it, by slow means and quick, under the rule of his life-giving love. And how is he doing this? Here is the shock: through us, his followers. The project only goes forward insofar as Jesus' agents, the people he has commissioned, are taking it forward.
Jesus has given us a project to do in our lifetime in order to fulfill his great commission to each Christian and to live out the purpose of our life. There are three things in this Jesus' project that we need to do as first priority:
1. To make disciples: This is to follow Jesus' example of calling the fishermen by the sea of Galilee, and trained them up as 'learners', imitating his way of life and coming little by little to understand his kingdom-message, so his followers ever since have the responsibility of calling men, women and children to follow him, and training them to understand and follow his message and his way. This is what we call "Evangelism".
2. To baptize them: The successful making of disciples leading people to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, through the water, to dying with Jesus and coming to share his new life and fully participate into Jesus' family which is the Church.
3. To teach: The gospel of Jesus generates a lifestyle quite different from the way the world lives. Baptized disciples need to be teachable to learn how to be more like Jesus. That is Christlikeness. We as Christians not only need to be taught but to be willing and able to participate in the process of teaching to lead more Christians to become mature Christians and not just a 'club member of a church '.
Well, you may think that you are not able to do that. But Jesus already declared that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. So, don't worry, Jesus has the total authority from God and he has commissioned you to do that.
How well are you doing Jesus' project?
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Have you forgotten to do my project?
Yes, Jesus asks you today if you have forgotten to do His project. You may think like this: What? Do I have a project to do for Jesus? Yes, very clearly Jesus has given this three steps project for us to do in our lifetime. And that should be our first priority!
I still have bad dreams once a while about forgetting to do my homework or not preparing my exams. well. It is quite scary! So, let's have a review today of how well have you been doing that three steps: to make disciples, to baptize and to teach?
If you have not done even one, then I have to tell you very frankly today that you are just a "club member" of your church! If you really are one of those members, don't angry with me. I have a responsibility to tell you the truth!
CHANGE! Start to do it now before it's too late!
Remember, you have a project to do for Jesus to make disciples, to baptize and to teach. And, you need to enjoy doing it. Because it is top priority No. 1 of your life purpose!
I still have bad dreams once a while about forgetting to do my homework or not preparing my exams. well. It is quite scary! So, let's have a review today of how well have you been doing that three steps: to make disciples, to baptize and to teach?
If you have not done even one, then I have to tell you very frankly today that you are just a "club member" of your church! If you really are one of those members, don't angry with me. I have a responsibility to tell you the truth!
CHANGE! Start to do it now before it's too late!
Remember, you have a project to do for Jesus to make disciples, to baptize and to teach. And, you need to enjoy doing it. Because it is top priority No. 1 of your life purpose!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us to be able to do your project well. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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