The Great Commission
Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “Go… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18a, 19a, 20a
How much of God’s word is important to teach? How much of God’s word is important for Jesus’ disciples to know? To confessional Lutherans, those may seem like strange questions, for their answers should be obvious—all of it! But in view of the last 150 years of Christian history, they are questions vital to ask! For the last 150 years, Christians have debated the nature of the Bible. Is it God’s inspired and inerrant revelation to us, or is it merely the uninspired and sometimes errant words we have to say about God? The answer to that question speaks to our entire Christian faith and life!
Let us permit Jesus Himself to answer these questions. When Jesus gave us His Great Commission, He did not say, “teaching them to observe whatever you feel is important,” or “teaching them to observe certain fundamentals that you think are important.” No, He said explicitly: “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you!” The apostle Paul confirms for us: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Jesus did not give us the option to decide what we consider important, for He and His apostles considered all the Bible important and vital for our instruction and application.
Not everything written in the Bible is directly related to our salvation. Likewise, certain sections of Scripture will have greater application to our Christian lives than other sections. Still, as Jesus’ disciples, we will want to strive to teach everything Jesus has taught and thereby commanded within the Bible. Always remember—you cannot undermine one section of the Bible without beginning to undermine the authority of all the Bible!
Let us, therefore, strive faithfully to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all the nations, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded!
Lord Jesus, our precious Savior—help us always to fulfill our callings as Your ambassadors in this world. Amen.