Matthew 28:20 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always until the completion of the age.”
The last participle calls for spiritual and intellectual growth. The participle teaching also has a strong instrumental sense to it. Another way to make disciples is by teaching and helping people come to understand and experience the truths of Jesus more deeply and profoundly. Much of Jesus’ ministry was devoted to teaching. He had invested three years in a small group of people, the twelve apostles and others who traveled with him, both men and women. He taught to large crowds, many of whom came to believe. He called the religious leaders to account through his teaching. He set the standard for citizens of God’s kingdom through his teaching, especially with the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew’s Gospel records five major teaching sections, echoing the five-part division of the Pentateuch.
Our teaching of others must include everything that Jesus commanded. Nothing is to be left out. We cannot be selective in those parts we like. There are many wonderful sayings that Jesus gave. Some of these can be twisted out of context and distorted by selfish desires. For example, people like to quote 7:1, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” They use this against anyone who uses discernment or discipline to correct those caught in sin. Or another favorite is the command to love one’s neighbor. People embrace the love part but forget the call to holiness and righteousness. The call to love must be put through the filter of crucifying the old self and following the way of the cross. Jesus’ teachings call us to a higher level of living. His commands both draw us to God’s grace and convict us of living like the world.
Jesus leaves his disciples with powerful final words in this Gospel. Making more disciples and living out our own discipleship is impossible without the presence of Jesus. He promised never to leave his disciples. This promise is fulfilled through the presence of the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Father and Son. Behind this promise lies the trinitarian formula of verse 19. We cannot live a victorious life by our own power. God comes to us through his Spirit showering his grace upon us. The ending of this Gospel prepares for the events in the Book of Acts and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit as the presence of the resurrected Christ will be our guide and companion until we see the Son of Man coming on the clouds.
This present evil age will come to an end, and all the promises of God will be fulfilled. Meanwhile, we live with these promises as hope, and hope requires that we trust and live in the obedience of discipleship. But this call is not an individual thing but invites, urges, and demands that we include others in this journey. Thus, the call to make disciples was not just for the few followers gathered around Jesus at that time but is the call for all followers of Jesus. Matthew ends his Gospel with words that compel us to go out in mission to the world.
For older posts, click here.