Final Words, First Priority: The Christian’s Job Description

In Matthew 28:16–20, we are drawn into one of the most powerful scenes in all of Scripture — the final earthly words of the risen Jesus Christ. These words are not meant to be treated as optional advice; they are a call that defines the very purpose of our lives. Rather than relegating the Great Commission to a side assignment, we are called to make it our first priority. Jesus sends His followers out with all authority, empowers them by His Spirit, and promises to be with them always.

The Main Message: Go, Disciple, Dunk, Teach

The heart of the Great Commission is simple yet all-encompassing: “Go, disciple, dunk, teach.” We are called to go into the world with the Gospel, make disciples who follow Christ, baptize new believers into the name of the Triune God, and teach them to obey everything Jesus has commanded. This is not a suggestion for a select few; it is the mission of every believer. It is the lifeblood of Christian living, rooted in the very heart of Christ’s ongoing work on earth.

The Supremacy of Christ

Jesus begins His commissioning with an earth-shaking declaration: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). His authority is not partial or limited; it is absolute and universal. He reigns as King over all creation, demanding our full allegiance. A true understanding of the Great Commission begins by bending the knee before the sovereign Christ who sends us out.

The Nature of True Discipleship

Christianity is not merely about making converts; it is about making disciples — life-long learners, lovers, and followers of Jesus. Discipleship involves ongoing learning, daily obedience, and heart-level transformation. The call to make disciples means we must invest in people, walking alongside them with patience, truth, and grace as they grow into maturity in Christ.

The Trinitarian Gospel

When Jesus commands baptism, He instructs us to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is not a man-made ritual but a powerful declaration of union with the Triune God. It symbolizes entry into the covenant community of Christ’s Church, affirming both the unity and the distinct personhood within the Godhead. Baptism is not the end of a spiritual journey but the beginning of a life marked by identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The Ever-Present Christ

Perhaps the most comforting promise of the Great Commission is found in Jesus’ final words: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We are not sent alone. Christ goes with us through the presence of His Holy Spirit. His empowering presence sustains, strengthens, and encourages us through every conversation, every act of service, and every trial we encounter along the way.

Living the Mission

The mission Christ gives us demands action. We must bend the knee now, acknowledging that Jesus is King over every part of our lives. We must start where we are, recognizing that the mission field often begins right next door. We should not delay baptism, understanding that it is an act of obedience, not a reward for reaching spiritual maturity. We must teach with our lives, knowing that our words, priorities, and daily choices are always discipling someone. And we must remember that we are never alone — Christ is with us every step of the way.

Those who have been rescued by Jesus are now called to rescue others. We are saved to go save. We are discipled to go disciple. We are baptized to go baptize. We are taught to go teach. And best of all, Jesus Himself is with us — empowering us to fulfill His Great Commission.