Not long ago I came across a troubling question. What is 750,000 miles long, reaches around the earth 30 times, and grows 20 miles longer each day? Answer given: The line of people who are without Christ. How sad to think that so many are destined to a Christless eternity. Yet, you may ask, what can I do? What possible part can I play? Jesus here commissions His disciples (and us) to go and share the good news of salvation. He encourages all of us to teach and baptize, to establish and build up, reminding us that He is with us in all our endeavors to provide power and grace. Let’s look at this passage and see how God not only encourages us, but commands us to missions.

(18) The Capability For Missions
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

In this verse Jesus is shown to be the power behind missions. All power, not just a little or occasional capability, but all that we need to accomplish His will. Jesus is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or think. Our part is submission. He will provide all else. Jesus’ power is not only here where we are on earth, but it is in the heavens as well. Powers and principalities are subject to Him. The spiritual forces of evil and Heavenly host of angels are subject to His control. Is there anything too hard for the child of God? No, for there is nothing too hard for the Lord. We are more than capable through Him who loves us. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” (John 3:35). The Son loves us and provides us with all we need. God’s desire is that none should perish. He wants you to show others His love in you and through you.

When Jesus issued this call to His disciples, He issued it to us as well. It is a personal call. All of us are to be involved. While it is true some may not be able to actually go to different countries, we can still be a support, a prayer warrior, and an encourager. The work is not an easy one. It takes a lifetime to follow. Notice the call is to teach. Christianity is not a philosophy or religious exercise, it is a message of hope based on the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Missions requires not only visiting others with the message of Christ’s offer of salvation, but it means establishing those who embrace the message. To baptize is to place into and under the Lord Jesus Christ all who understand and accept His will for their lives. Dare anyone say, “I can’t be involved”? Certainly not, to say such a thing is to rebel against the clear command of our Lord.

(20) The Companion in Missions
“and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Jesus Himself is with the believer to provide Him with all he needs. The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit is providing power. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The word for power (exousia) in Matthew 28:18 is “authority” and the word for power (dunamis) in Acts signifies “capability”. More importantly we have God’s assurance of His presence and work through us. Regardless of where the child of God may be, he is never without power for He is never alone.

When we think of missions, we often think of foreign and exotic lands. Certainly the Christian message is to go there, yet it is also to go to your family, your neighborhood and your acquaintances. All are called to missions and all are empowered and all are to be involved. How involved are you?

A Mercedes Benz TV commercial showed their car colliding with a cement wall during a safety test. Amazingly, little damage was done. They had invented a way to protect the passengers in the car. Someone then asked the company spokesman why they do not enforce their patent on the Mercedes Benz energy-absorbing car body, a design evidently being copied by other companies because of its success. He replied, matter-of-factly, "Because some things in life are too important not to share.” The message of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate message - share it with everybody. God bless.