THE GLORY OF THE FINAL PROMISE

Matthew 28: 16-20

Here we are come to the end of the gospel story; and here we listen to the last words of Jesus to His men. And in this last meeting Jesus did three things:

(i) He assured them of His power. Surely nothing was outside the power of Him who had died and conquered death. Now they were the servants of a Master whose authority upon earth and in heaven was beyond all question.

(ii) He gave them a commission. He sent them out to make all the world His disciples. It may well be that the instruction to baptize is something which is, in fact, a development of the actual words of Jesus. That may be argued about; the one salient fact remains that the commission of Jesus is to win all men for Himself.

(iii) He promised them a presence. It must have been a staggering thing for eleven humble Galilaeans to be sent forth to the conquest of the world. Even as they heard it their hearts must have failed them. But no sooner was the command given than the promise followed. They were sent out – as we are – on the greatest task in the world, but with them there was the greatest presence in the world.

“Though few and small and weak your bands,
Strong in your Captain’s strength,
Go to the conquest of all lands;
All must be His at length.”