Go! And Be Disciples!

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

__________

Each gospel has a different ending. The Gospel of Luke ends with Jesus' ascension into heaven. We discover in the Gospel of Mark that things end with an empty tomb and a bunch of scared witnesses. And the Gospel of John ends with Jesus making some appearances to the disciples and other followers. Yet the Gospel of Matthew ends with a very salient point for us these days, which is the place where the rubber meets the road moment of life and faith. That faith is not an isolating practice, but one that takes us outside of ourselves. And what authority commands that we go out into the world bringing about justice, healing, and reconciliation? None other than God, who instilled in us such abilities. 

This commissioning from Jesus, however, does not lead us to an easy life. On the contrary, we quickly discover that living between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Caesar is a very difficult feat. To exist between these two callings can lead to dire consequences if we fail to take seriously the words and actions of Jesus. Take Judas Iscariot for example, the one who betrayed Jesus, his absence is certainly felt at the end, where Jesus is addressing eleven of the disciples. And even if we have faith that doesn't me we won't question, such as Thomas and the others who worshiped Jesus but also had some doubts.  

When we fail to heed the call of Jesus, and when we neglect the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and when we turn our backs on God's gift of life, the time of the empire and Caesar takes over. And this is something we are all too familiar with. The Empire of Caesar, the physical manifestation of our selfishness, only cares about systems of oppression and slavery, systems that place material wealth over human life, and leads all who follow it a path that leads only to death. O how shallow the Empire of Caesar becomes though when the light of God exposes it for what truly is. Caesar has had his day, but the time of the Kingdom of God, a place where everyone has a seat at the table is here and now. 

God has not forgotten us. We possess the Spirit of the Advocate, and the one who set the ultimate example of love made flesh. Matthew's gospel brings things full circle by stating that Christ is with us, as was said at the beginning, Emmanuel, God with us. God is with us, walking along with us, listening to our cries, our hurt, and compelling us to live boldly as citizens in the Kingdom of God who walk in between the realms of heaven and earth. Much of this journey is uncomfortable because it points out our complicity and ignorance. Yet, if we lean hard and trust that this discerning and reforming work has a purpose, we will then truly ensure that all are welcome to the table that God has prepared. 

Now more than ever, we need to invoke the gifts and talents we have received from the Holy Trinity to fulfill the earthly and spiritual ministries Christ has entrusted to us. When we reject empathy, we reject the love that God has shown us. When we turn a blind eye to pain and suffering, we devalue the great suffering God endured for all of us. When we close off our ears to cries that have yearned for hope and justice for centuries, we dishonor the God of the oppressed and marginalized. So let us act, speak, and think in ways that model Christ, who shows us the way to live and breaks us free and has us free others from Caesar's grip. 

So with that being said, I would like to commission all of you (regardless of whether you are a member or not), as disciples of the living God, who desires reconciliation, justice, love, compassion, and mercy: 

We are called by God to be the church of Jesus Christ, a sign in the world today of what God intends for all humankind. 

The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. 

Friends, the grace bestowed on you in baptism is sufficient for your calling because it is God’s grace. By God’s grace we are saved, and enabled to grow in the faith and to commit our lives in ways that serve Christ. 

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying God’s Word and showing God’s love? [I will, with God’s help.]

Do you welcome the responsibility of this service because you are determined to follow Jesus, to love neighbors, and to work for the reconciling of the world? [I do.]

Will you serve the people of this vast wide word and this community here at home with energy, intelligence, imagination, love, and empathy, relying on God’s mercy and rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit that pushes us to places unknown? [I will, with God’s help.]

Faithful God, in baptism you claimed us; and by your Holy Spirit you are working in our lives, empowering us to live a life worthy of our calling. We thank you for leading all who are here  to this time and place. Establish them in your truth, and guide them by your Holy Spirit, that in your service they may grow in faith, hope, and love, and be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever.

What could be more fitting than to end the Gospel of Matthew than a statement of action and purpose? Having been created and called by God, taught by Jesus, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the disciples go out to carry on Jesus' vision. What is that vision? Well, it is a vision that relies on you and I. It is a vision of tearing down the walls that divide, dispelling the hate and ignorance that blinds us, and breaking free our hearts that have been hardened. The Great Commission compels us to be agents of change so that we might bring an end to the brokenness and surround it with overwhelming love. That is when our hearts begin to set off on the right path. Can we do that work together? It is a part of our faith we don't always embrace because it is difficult, but now more than ever necessary. So may we all go in the name of God, three in one, now and forevermore. Amen.