Matthew 28:16–20

“I have been given all authority” is the declaration of a King. Jesus is claiming the rightful authority of the risen Lord. Jesus says that after His resurrection, the territory of His Kingdom is heaven and earth - the realm where His word is law.

From the beginning, creation was designed for heaven and earth to belong together but human rebellion tore them apart. Jesus came to heal that division.

How will the nations learn that all authority belongs to Jesus? Disciples are to go and make disciples. A follower of Jesus must have a worldwide vision. Vision requires action. It calls us to serve, to organise, to give, to participate. Our service and our participation doesn't finish with us but we must prepare our minds for the possibility that we will be that person that God wants to go out to the ends of the earth. Becoming involved in organising for, praying and giving to world-mission is a normal part of our discipleship.

He speaks of the duration of His authority: to the end of the age. One day heaven and earth will be fully united. As Paul writes:

“Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power… The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
1 Corinthians 15:24–26

Jesus told his disciples to make disciples because we must first become disciples ourselves before helping others become one. There is both receiving and giving. Learning and teaching. Being formed and helping form others. This is describing a continuing process. We are formed as we become involved in helping others to be formed. So some questions to ask ourselves.

Are we:

allowing ourselves to receive from another?
open to someone else’s insight?
humble enough to listen?
making ourselves vulnerable enough to share what we have learned?
speaking into another person’s life for their good?