Terry Miller

Throughout recorded history, dynasties, civilizations, accomplishments, and people have associated the word "great" with their names. The Great Wall of China, the Great Depression, and even the Greatest Show on Earth. How about books and movies such as The Great Escape, which starred Steve McQueen, or The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis? And of course, there are What’s So Great About the Great Commission? – Calling All Disciplesscores of famous and infamous people with the word "great" attached to their name, such as the great Houdini, Alexander the Great, and, because he was the first boxer to win the heavyweight title on 3 separate occasions, the sports world dubbed Mohammad Ali - the "greatest."

There are many things and many people associated with greatness, but for the Christian, few things can be elevated to a higher degree of greatness than the Great Commission Jesus gave his disciples. Today, it might be rare to find someone who could answer the question, "What's so great about the Great Commission?" But even a quick read of Matthew 28:18-20 makes it easy to discover four great things about the Great Commission.

First: The Great Commission is great because Jesus planned and announced it!

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. (verse 16). 

Jesus did not plan the Great Commission by "committee." The plan for bringing His disciples together to make the announcement known as the Great Commission was not the idea of a man, a woman, or a church council. Its greatness is that Jesus planned and directed where and when He would commission His followers for their mission to go to all ethnic groups to make disciples. The Great Commission was His plan for how to turn the world right-side up!

Second: The Great Commission is great because Jesus defined the method for carrying it out.  

For 2000 years, Jesus has had the same plan for ordinary people like you and me to open the Scriptures, learn how He made disciples, and then go and make disciples of others in the same way. And Jesus did not leave us wondering what he meant by "make disciples." In verse 20(a), Jesus commanded to "teach them to observe all that I have commanded you." 

Jesus' method of discipleship training was surprisingly similar to the Jewish system of training disciples in His day. It was, as it still is, a simple process of multiplication. One commits to becoming a student, an apprentice, and a practitioner of Jesus' teachings and example, and they "go" and make disciples of others. The Great Commission is great because Jesus defined the method for carrying it out.

Third: The Great Commission is great because Jesus gave it its authority.

It's possible to understate Jesus' statement in verse 18 of Matthew 28. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. The Greek translation for the English word "authority" in this passage refers to the freedom and the right to speak and act as one pleases. But this wasn't the first time Jesus established his divine authority as the Son of God.

a.    In Matthew 4:23 and 9:35, He established his authority over disease and sickness.

b.    In Matthew 4:24 and 8:32, He established his authority of demon possession.

c.     In Matthew 9:6, Jesus established His authority over sin.

d.    In Mark 5:41-42 Jesus established His authority over death.

e.    And here, in Matthew 28:18, Jesus establishes His authority over His followers, that they are to go to all people groups in all the world to disciple them.

The Great Commission is great because Jesus gave it its seal of authority, authenticity, and assurance that it was doable by ordinary men and women like you and me.

Fourth: The Great Commission is great because Jesus promised never to leave us. 

Verse 20 of Matthew 28 contains the most powerful and encouraging words that eyes have ever seen, and ears have ever heard. "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  "Behold, I am with you always says…."

1.    Jesus cares about our daily challenges even more than we do.

2.    Jesus loves the people we are discipling even more than we do.

3.    Regardless of your skills or abilities, Jesus alone has the love, the power, and the authority to transform you into His likeness and use you as a disciple-maker. The Great Commission is great because Jesus has promised to stay with us and never leave us!

In summary, the Great Commission is great because:

Jesus planned and announced it.

Jesus defined the method for carrying it out.  

Jesus gave it its authority.

Jesus promised He would never leave us. 

What a great Savior! What a great love! What a great commission! How can we not fall in love with following Him and becoming His disciples?