February 27
Resurrection and commission
Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20

KEY VERSE: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

He was dead, sealed in a borrowed tomb. Then that glorious resurrection morning, the earth trembles, the stone is rolled away, and Jesus walks out. He is alive! Death could not hold him! Up from the grave He arose! Yes!

And what does the Master tell his disciples to do? Go and make disciples, that's what! Go. Get busy spreading the word that He's alive, and help others to become His disciples. That's what He wants us to do.

That is the business of the church, the main business. Nothing is more important than that - making disciples. So how are we doing?

In what ways are you making disciples? Yes, it involves a lot more than talk. It involves our walk also. People will not listen to our talk until they find that our walk is genuine.

Our walk involves what we do, how we use our talents, our resources, and our time. Our walk involves helping and serving others in the hope that they will come to realize that we are motivated by His love for us, while we were still sinners.

You are taking mission work teams to other countries? To help them build better homes and to learn more about Jesus? That's good. In so doing you are helping to fulfill the Great Commission. We all are called, you know. That call is not simply for preachers and missionaries. It's for all believers, and each one of us has to find a way to respond by doing something for others in the name of Jesus.

You are helping a small congregation remodel its church in your community? Good, that kind of service locally can cause unchurched people to notice how God's people can work together in love and unity. Keep up the good work. Take someone with you next time.

Stop for a moment and think about the people with whom you work, or the members of your family, or your neighbors on your street. Is there one of them to whom you might go and share your love for Jesus? What is stopping you? Afraid? Then ask the Lord to give you the right situation, the right words, and the right time to share your faith.

You can do it like Paul did it, in fear and trembling. But do it. What is the worst thing that can happen? The person may say, "I am not interested." Will that hurt? Of course not. After all, the Lord was crucified for you; you can handle a little rebuffing out of love for Him, can't you?

Believe me, when our Lord said, "Go and make disciples," He was talking to you too. So be about your Father's business as Jesus was. You will be glad you did one day.