This post is part of a 40-Day Prayer Journey through the season of Lent. Click here to learn more.
“Go 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Jesus was about to ascend into heaven when he gave his disciples this Great Commission, as it’s come to be known.
The disciples had followed Jesus for three years, learning from him and listening to his teachings. And now, it was time for them to go out and share what they had learned with the rest of the world.
Sound daunting?
I’m sure it was—especially when you consider their track record. These were the same disciples who had deserted Jesus in his hour of need in the Garden of Gethsemane, publicly denied him, and hid in a locked room for fear of what the Jewish religious leaders might do to them because they were Jesus’ followers.
But these were exactly the people Jesus wanted to send to tell others about the gospel—what Jesus had done to rescue them from sin, death, and the devil.
Dear Christian, Jesus calls us to go and tell the people in our lives about him as well.
I don’t know what your track record is like, but I know mine. I know the times I’ve failed to let my light shine as a Christian in this sin-darkened world with my words and actions. I know the missed opportunities I’ve had to speak up and share what I know about Jesus because I’m afraid of how others will respond. I know . . . and yet my Savior’s words to his disciples in the verses quoted above are for me too.
Jesus knew the failures of his disciples. He knows yours and mine too. He has forgiven all of them through his perfect life and innocent death on the cross.
We know the joy of forgiveness that is ours because of Jesus—we can share that with the people in our lives who desperately need to know what Jesus has done for them as well.
Sound daunting?
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
As our Savior sends us out, we’re not going alone. Our Savior goes with us. Our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ—fellow members of God’s family—go with us too.
Today, as you start this prayer journey through the season of Lent, pray for your fellow believers.
Pray that God gives them strength and courage to live as his children in this sin-darkened world. Pray that God gives them opportunities to share his message of salvation with the people in their lives and comfort them with the reminder that he is always with them. Pray that God gives you the strength, courage, and opportunities to do the same, knowing that your God goes with you every step of the way.
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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