Service Orientation: All authority has been given to Jesus. Therefore, we are to invite everybody, everywhere to be immersed in the character and attributes of the Triune God so that everyone might be who God designed and created us to be. Like Jesus.
Rabbis in the first century had followers who desired for the Rabbi to lead them to a better understanding of Torah and thus become a better disciple of God’s Word. Jesus, on the other hand called disciples unto Himself. He taught them to have a better understanding of the Kingdom of God and Himself as King and thus become a better disciple of Himself. Jesus called people to come and be like Him.
(v. 17) That simple phrase inserted by Matthew is but one of countless small and indirect testimonies to the integrity of Scripture. In transparent honesty, the gospel writer sets forth the incident as it actually happened, with no attempt to make it more dramatic or convincing than it was. As he portrayed Jesus in His divine perfection, he also portrayed Jesus’ followers, including himself, in their human imperfection.
The question to be answered is . . . Why does Matthew wrap up his Gospel with these statements from Jesus?
Answer: Because Jesus has been given all authority we are commanded to invite people to become disciples: people baptized into God so we might be who God created and designed us to be. In His image: like Jesus.
If God’s primary purpose for the saved were loving fellowship, He would take believers immediately to heaven, where spiritual fellowship is perfect, unhindered by sin, disharmony, or loneliness. If His primary purpose for the saved were the learning of His Word, He would also take believers immediately to heaven, where His Word is perfectly known and understood. And if God’s primary purpose for the saved were to give Him praise, He would, again, take believers immediately to heaven, where praise is perfect and unending.
A disciple is someone who has said to Jesus, “Teach me to live my life as if you were me”.
Jesus never begged anyone to follow Him. He never waited for anyone, never sang one more verse while people decided whether to follow. He barked, “Follow me!” and kept going. Those who immediately dropped everything became His disciples; those who hesitated were left behind.
But just what is meant by “make disciples”? It is not exactly the same as “make converts,” though the latter is surely implied. See on 3:2; 4:17. The term “make disciples” places somewhat more stress on the fact that mind, as well as the heart and the will, must be won for God. A disciple is a pupil, a learner. See on 13:52. Also, see on 11:29 for words related to it in the English language.
Worship Point: Worship the God of the Universe Who through Jesus wants to give us so much more than eye has ever seen, or ear has heard, or mind conceived (Isa 64:4; 1 Cor 2:9; Eph 3:14-21). He is patient, gracious, forgiving, merciful and loving with us in spite of our doubts (Mt 14:31; 28:17; Lk 24:38; Jn 20:27; Jude 1:22).