As I’ve said here, here and here, we’ve been discussing the Great Commission in our staff meeting.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This is something I’ve always thought was interesting about The Great Commission. I always thought the end of verse 18 was a misprint. It seemed to me that it should say that all authority has been given to “you.” It seems like God is commanding us to go and make disciples, you would think that he would give us the authority to do it. Why would he say that authority has been giving to him? Why won’t he give me some of that authority.

I’m not Bible scholar. I didn’t exegete this passage. But I think I know why he didn’t give me the authority. Because it causes me to daily rely on him. When I try to minister on my own, I do it without his authority. The scripture is very clear. It’s not my words that bring a person to Christ, but it’s him that draws them to himself. I’m just a tool. Ha!

The end of verse 20 wraps it up nicely. He’s reminding us that he’ll be with us until the end. Why the heck do I need my own authority? I’ve got the guy with it all with me always. Perfect!

Lord Jesus, let me daily lean in on you. Let me operate through YOUR authority! Amen.

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