The Mandate and the Privilege

June 27, 2022

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 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.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

A small group of disciples had been huddling in fear behind locked doors. Suddenly they began boldly telling the Jesus story in the marketplace and the public square. Jesus was alive again. It changed everything! Jesus had invited them to be partners in the greatest mission of all time. They could hardly help themselves. It wasn’t that they understood everything—they didn’t. It wasn’t that they felt under obligation. More than the issues they faced, they were overwhelmed by the power of Jesus, the certainly of His resurrection, and the personal transformation they could not deny in their own lives. They were compelled to do it. They wanted to!

Nothing mattered more than sharing the story. Nothing matters more than living and loving the Jesus way. Nothing was more important or significant than inviting people to become part of this radical new community of love, grace, and peace. They lived with a deep awareness of the power and presence of Jesus. And He provided for them too. Whatever they needed, they knew He would supply. Nothing about it was a duty or obligation. It was His mandate and their privilege.

So they told the story. They sang, prayed, and worshiped together. They wrote encouraging letters to help them share and teach. They shared their resources with each other and made deep personal sacrifices. They welcomed and discipled whoever would come, just like Jesus did. They became the living body of Christ in the world and for the world. As He had said they would be, they were known by their love.

Anyone who fulfills an obligation is to be admired. People who do what they do because they are responsible are much appreciated. But the people then as well as now who “turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) do it because there is a fire in their bellies. They are motivated by love for Jesus and the world, and they are willing to do and give anything to see it happen.

Jesus has honored us by making us partners in the greatest mission of all time—bringing His kingdom to earth. He has committed this mission to His church. That is why the church is the hope of the world. We have the message of life. Will we turn our world upside down? We can.

• What is God saying to you? Do you have a fire in your belly, or are you simply responsible and duty motivated, doing what you must?