Matthew 28:20

_ _ Teaching them — This is teaching in the more usual sense of the term; or instructing the converted and baptized disciples.

_ _ to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I — The “I” here is emphatic. It is enough that I

_ _ am with you alway — “all the days”; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more.

_ _ even unto the end of the world. Amen — This glorious Commission embraces two primary departments, the Missionary and the Pastoral, with two sublime and comprehensive Encouragements to undertake and go through with them.

_ _ First, The Missionary department (Matthew 28:18): “Go, make disciples of all nations.” In the corresponding passage of Mark (Mark 16:15) it is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” The only difference is, that in this passage the sphere, in its world-wide compass and its universality of objects, is more fully and definitely expressed; while in the former the great aim and certain result is delightfully expressed in the command to “make disciples of all nations.” “Go, conquer the world for Me; carry the glad tidings into all lands and to every ear, and deem not this work at an end till all nations shall have embraced the Gospel and enrolled themselves My disciples.” Now, Was all this meant to be done by the Eleven men nearest to Him of the multitude then crowding around the risen Redeemer? Impossible. Was it to be done even in their lifetime? Surely not. In that little band Jesus virtually addressed Himself to all who, in every age, should take up from them the same work. Before the eyes of the Church’s risen Head were spread out, in those Eleven men, all His servants of every age; and one and all of them received His commission at that moment. Well, what next? Set the seal of visible discipleship upon the converts, by “baptizing them into the name,” that is, into the whole fullness of the grace “of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” as belonging to them who believe. (See on 2 Corinthians 13:14). This done, the Missionary department of your work, which in its own nature is temporary, must merge in another, which is permanent. This is

_ _ Second, The Pastoral department (Matthew 28:20): “Teach them” — teach these baptized members of the Church visible — “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” My apostles, during the three years ye have been with Me.

_ _ What must have been the feelings which such a Commission awakened? “WE who have scarce conquered our own misgivings — we, fishermen of Galilee, with no letters, no means, no influence over the humblest creature, conquer the world for Thee, Lord? Nay, Lord, do not mock us.” “I mock you not, nor send you a warfare on your own charges. For” — Here we are brought to

_ _ Third, The Encouragements to undertake and go through with this work. These are two; one in the van, the other in the rear of the Commission itself.

_ _ First Encouragement: “All power in heaven” — the whole power of Heaven’s love and wisdom and strength, “and all power in earth” — power over all persons, all passions, all principles, all movements — to bend them to this one high object, the evangelization of the world: All this “is given unto Me.” as the risen Lord of all, to be by Me placed at your command — “Go ye therefore.” But there remains a

_ _ Second Encouragement: “And lo! I am with you all the days” — not only to perpetuity, but without one day’s interruption, “even to the end of the world,” The “Amen" is of doubtful genuineness in this place. If, however, it belongs to the text, it is the Evangelist’s own closing word.