Commissioned

I cant help but to keep thinking about the fact that we have been COMMISSIONED by Jesus to make a difference in our world. Many of us know the words in red found in Matthew 29:18-20 (which is known as the Great Commission”):

¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^a]”>[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The word COMMISSIONED is defined this way:

The act of committing or giving in charge

An authoritative order, charge, or direction

Authority granted for a particular action or function

Here is a few thoughts on what that COMMISSION includes for us as followers of Jesus:

POWER

“But you will receive power…”

In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. That POWER had PURPOSE! It was to be witnesses for Him.

AUTHORITY

“All authority has been given to me…”

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus commanded and commissioned His disciples to go because of the Authority He had been given. As believes, having the Holy Spirit in us, we too can walk in Authority!

DIRECTION

“…therefore go…”

Jesus is literally saying, “…as you are going…”. The assumption is that we are going. All too often I see people waiting for “direction” when we have already been given it - go into our world and make a difference!

PRESENCE

“I will be with you always…”

What an awesome promise for us: He is with us always! Jesus reminds us that we are not COMMISSIONED to go out in our own strength, wisdom or ability - but that He will go with us and before us!

Recognize that as a Christian, you have been COMMISSIONED to make a difference in your world. We are COMMISSIONED to share the Love, Truth, Hope and Grace that we have found in Jesus. Lets do it!