By Jonathan Parnell
We make an inevitable understatement.
Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The right to rule everything belongs to him. All existence comes under his reign. Jesus is the one true King.
This is unspeakably important. The highest significance we could attribute to these words still seems to fall short. The crucified and risen Christ has cosmic authority. It’s greater than we can speak, but we must speak.
Charter for the Church
After establishing his authority — on the basis of that authority, not simply to command persons, but to empower obedience — Jesus issues this famous charter for his church:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19–20)
The Great Commission, as we call it, is truly great. It’s a unique combination of epic and brilliant. It’s epic in that it has been effective, to say the least. For the past 2,000 years the people of Jesus have been making disciples. They have, they are, and they will.
Read more at http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/when-mission-gets-real