Shine! The Great Commission

About 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, a relatively small group of Jesus’ followers gathered. This group included His disciples, apostles, His mother, and others. All totaled, about 120 people met on this occasion (Acts 1:15), huddled in an “Upper Room” to await the arrival of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49) whom Jesus had promised would come…  Suddenly, a sound like that of blowing wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house … all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit … (Acts 2:2,4). This was the defining moment of what would become known as “The Great Commission.” It had only been a few days earlier, about a day’s journey away, that the ascension of Jesus had occurred on the Mount of Olives. This miraculous, awe-inspiring event—the physical arising of Jesus into the Heavens—was witnessed by His disciples. It was here that Jesus instructed His followers to wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, from whom they would receive power (Acts 1:8). Jesus then offered his final command:  The Great Commission“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). These “original” Christians were commanded by Jesus to venture out into the villages, towns, and cities to “Spread His Word” of the Gospel of Salvation.  We as present-day Christians are Christ’s disciples to our 21st Century modern world. We are His witnesses, His example to our contemporary culture and society. Jesus’ command still holds true for us today.  As His followers, it is our obligation to reach out to the world around us, to people we are in contact with every day. As God’s chosen people, we possess the word of God; we are the salt and light of His creation, the world (Matthew 5:13-16). To accomplish this challenge of “The Great Commission,” the empowerment and presence of Jesus must be embodied within us through the Holy Spirit.  Although our attempts to fulfill this “Great Command” start with person-to-person witnessing (and should always continue to do so), it is not a solitary effort. We need The Church. The Church (followers of Christ/Christians) can consist of as few as “two or three gathered together” (Matthew 18:20). However, the strength of The Church lies in unity of its multitudes. This mutual benevolence creates a solid foundation upon which great accomplishments for “The Kingdom” can be achieved.  Reaching the unsaved is a group effort. Evangelism is a lifestyle, a lifestyle that models Christ’s. We as individual Christians represent “Soldiers of the Cross”; united together, we are a powerful Army of the Lord! Just prior to his passing, Billy Graham was asked, “Who will be the next Billy Graham?” His wise and simple reply was, “You will” (implying all Christians). Whatever our calling, wherever He leads, we must choose to follow. It is not an option. Indeed, as Christians, it is our moral imperative. Long ago, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-19, KJV). Jesus’ beseeching invitation is calling to you and me today: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Praise God! Forward March! You’re Here To Be Light“God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—SHINE!” (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message). - Ray Dennis