Matthew 28 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me 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." 

 

The Great Commission is a beautiful reminder of why and what we are to be doing here on earth. But the part the Holy Spirit brought to mind this morning is the last part of these verses, which is also the last thing recorded in the Book of Matthew. Jesus wants to leave us with the promise and the thought that He is always with us, and this morning, He showed me just that!

 

As most of you know, I went to prison a couple of years ago, and to be honest, it was a better-than-average experience. Don’t get me wrong, there were tough times and tough days, but for the most part, it was pretty good, and the Lord showed me why this morning. In prayer this morning, He brought to my mind the day He set me free in the Greene County jail and how I felt like He said, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

 

The Holy Spirit showed me this morning that Jesus was always there. He showed me the phone room and Him standing next to me! He showed me Jesus walking beside me through the prison! He showed me Jesus with me in the prison church! Then He showed me that He was sitting right next to me as I prayed this morning, living a life I couldn’t earn, with a Savior I don’t deserve!

 

I say all this because some of us are going through things, but trust me, we don’t have to go through them alone! There is a God who loves you so much that not even the blood of His Son was too high a price to pay to redeem and reconcile you to Himself!

 

The first verse below is part of Jesus’ prayer for us, followed by a promise for us in Isaiah! I encourage you to pray them back to the Lord and lean into Him in every area of your life! He is faithful!

 

John 17:23 – “I in them and you in me - - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

 

Isaiah 43:1-2 - But now, this is what the LORD says - - he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

 

God bless! I love you all, but trust me, He loves you so much more! Glory, Honor, and Praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ the one true King, and the Holy Spirit who leads us into all Truth! 

 

 

Matthew 28:19

“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.” 

 

This is part of the Great Commission, but the Holy Spirit showed me this morning that this also shows us the heart of Christ and the depth of His love! He makes no distinction here between who we should and shouldn’t preach to. He doesn’t say “only go to such and such” but rather “ go and make disciples of ALL nations”!

 

Does our love have limits? – because Jesus Christ’s surely didn’t! There was no border He wouldn’t cross, no social barrier He wouldn’t break, no sin He wouldn’t bear, and no price He wouldn’t pay! We celebrate His victory over death and ours in Him! But the question is, do we share that victory with those around us? Do I decide who gets to experience the Jesus in me or the fleshy Stephen in me? Or do I try to walk, talk, love, forgive, sacrifice, share, pray and help everyone out of the nature of Who He is in me? Who is running the show? Is it Christ my King or the lost, broken man that Jesus died to save?

 

Jesus makes it really clear how people will know we are His, and it’s not up for debate! It’s a command and one we have to hold tight to daily! What was one of the first ways you experienced Christ? Mine was through the love of His people, and let me tell you, it made a difference! He is Risen, and He is alive!!!

 

John 13:34-35 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

 

God bless! I love you all! Glory, Glory, Glory to Papa God, the Risen King, and the Holy Spirit! 

 

 

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

What would we do if all authority was given to us? What would we do if we were in Jesus’ place? Having been wrongly accused, abused, and crucified, would we respond the way He does? Of course not, but He can and does! He doesn’t say, “All authority has been given to Me, so go make those people pay, but rather, “go and make them disciples!” It’s amazing to me the heart of our God and the willingness He has to forgive and save sinners.

Think of how petty we can be at times; we get our feelings hurt or we get offended, and suddenly we are more in the flesh than the Spirit. But not our God. He is perfect and powerful, unchanging and unwavering; we can count on Him to stay the same regardless of season or circumstance.

Christ’s words here must resonate and spur us on to respond the same way when we are given a position of power or authority in someone’s life. Our main goal has to be leading them to Christ and teaching them His Word and His ways. We can’t get caught up in the fading world but must press forward toward the eternal Kingdom that is to come, with our main goal being to honor God and take as many people with us as we can. Make no mistake, we can’t save them, but we surely know the One who can! Lord Jesus, please help us to carry out Your command through your Spirit, for Your glory, and for the good of those around us!

Galatians 5:24,25- Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

God bless! I love you all, but His love can illuminate even the darkest of hearts! Praise, glory, and honor now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!