Go
Matthew 28:16-20
by Jim Westmoreland
The Swiss missionary-theologian, Emil Brunner, likened the church's involvement in missions to the relationship that exist between fire and burning: "The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning." In other words: No burning, no fire. No missions, no church.
The church consists of its members. We are all called to be ministers. We affirm that on our bulletin each Sunday, in the staff listing where it reads "Ministers - The Congregation."The powerful life-changing, community-shaping ministry is done by all of us. It is not the pastor who does the ministry. Each one of us receives a commission to GO. It is not a call to be passive, to be a bench-warmer, to be part of a watchful audience. We are called to be active participants when we become disciples ourselves.
A college choir was all set to present its package of music in a large church. The program of sacred song was to be carried live by a local radio station. When everything appeared to be ready, the announcer made his final introduction and waited for the choir director to begin. One of the tenors was not ready, however, so the venerable conductor refused to raise his baton. All this time, nothing but silence was being broadcast. Growing very nervous, the announcer, forgetting that his microphone was still on and that he could be heard in the church and on the radio, said in exasperation, "Get on with it, you old goat!"
Later in the week, the radio station got a letter from one of its listeners--a man who had tuned in to listen to the music from the comfort of his easy chair. When he heard "Get on with it, you old goat!" he took the message personally. He had been doing nothing to further God's work, and this startling message was enough to convict him and get him going again!
Sometimes, we need a wake-up call. We need to be reminded that before Jesus left this earth, He gave us all the instructions we need. He told us we should GO and make disciples. The message for the church today is clear. We need to get on with it! Revive us, Lord! Someone wrote:
"Is zeal abating while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord--the world is waiting!
Equip Thy church to spread the light."
We should take heed! It's what we're doing today that counts, not what we're going to do tomorrow!" We are called to GO and make disciples.
As Jesus greets them and they're worshiping him and even in the midst of their worship, there is still some question, there is still some uncertainty, Jesus declares to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Jesus, the one who taught with authority, Jesus, the one who healed with authority, Jesus, the one who confronted power with authority. Hear him declare to his scared and frightened followers, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," authority in the realm of our living and authority in the realm beyond our understanding and comprehension.
There is nothing outside of the authority of Jesus, and it is based upon this authority that Jesus commissions the disciples, that he gives them their job description. He gives them their purpose. He gives them their mission statement. It was Jesus' way of saying to the disciples, "It's not over. I know you don't understand what's happened. I know you don't understand what's going to happen, but just remember this: It's not over! GO, and make disciples!"
Jesus commanded the disciples to move beyond where they were standing. Don't get stuck where you've been! . . . In the past. Don't get stuck where you think you are now, but dare to move out! Too often, the church of Jesus Christ has been willing to settle for the status quo. We've been where we've been so long that we think what God is doing is all that God is ever going to do. But Jesus comes and he says, "Go! Move from where you are. Go out and be about the business of making disciples."
Making disciples is not synonymous with recruitment for the church rolls. It is not the same thing as building up membership. It is not a numbers game of who has how many, but it's taking time to enter into relationship with other people that is deeper than superficial friendship. It is daring to share with others the life-giving, life-liberating, death-defying relationship of God in Jesus Christ. It is inviting others into this relationship. And, we are to GO to all nations. The whole missionary/evangelism response to Jesus' command to GO and to help others to GO is against all of our notions of political correctness. We have trouble saying and sometimes believing that God does make a difference. Because, if we really believed it, how can we make so many excuses for not being personally involved in the GO-ing part?
Sometimes, we like to get to this point where we simply say, "It's OK. Jesus has come to me and mine and that's enough." But on that mountain in Galilee, we hear Jesus telling the disciples, we hear Jesus telling us, "Even though you know me, even though you've entered into relationship with me, even though you've journeyed with me, it's not over. There's still more work to be done."
Earlier, in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus commissions the disciples, he sends them out, but he says only go to the lost sheep of Israel, only go to a select few, only go to you and yours. But in this commission, Jesus is saying to the disciples, You can't stop with you and yours. God's love, liberation, and favor is not to be limited; it must be made available to the world. For I am a God who understands that the world is my dominion, and I love the world enough to want the world to be set free. GO! Go, beyond what you know. Encounter me in other places and carry my love there, baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Initiate your sisters and brothers throughout the world into unity with the Divine. It is a unity that can only be reflected in the unity that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit hold as one. Remember your own baptism as you GO. Remember that baptism is an immersion into a new identity, no longer defined by human standards and characteristics, but defined by the One who gives us our life, redeems life and sustains life.
But the work is not done after baptism. It's not over in that welcoming process, for Jesus also says to the disciples, "Teach. Teach all that I have commanded you."
* Jesus, who was a master teacher, who began his ministry
liberating the law and life from the bondage of ignorance;
* Jesus, the one who took the law and brought it to its fullest
expression;
* Jesus, who taught what the kingdom, what the realm of God
was like;
* Jesus, who was always saying that our understanding is not
enough, but there are deeper truths that must be revealed.(1)
He says to us, Don't stop! Keep teaching all that I have commanded you. You have work to do. It's not over. It's not over! It's not complete, and it will not be completed in one generation. The magnitude of the work to which we are called is bigger than we can imagine. It is bigger than our own understanding. It has been given to the generations that preceded us and to generations that come after us. But, in the midst of this awesome challenge, in the midst of Jesus saying, "It's not over," there comes a promise. "I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age."
Unlike Mark, Luke, and John, Matthew does not report the ascension of Jesus into heaven. He does not have the disciples looking up and seeing Jesus separated from them once again, but Matthew concludes his Gospel with a promise, "I will be with you, always, even unto the end of the age." Jesus' presence with the disciples, Jesus' presence with us is a reminder. It's not over! The work of God continues in us and through us!
He gives us an instruction that should not be misinterpreted. It is not an instruction to be passive or private or blase about our faith. We are given a divine command to be passionate and to be purpose-driven. We make it complicated, and yet it is a very simple command. We are told to GO. This command is not a command to Go to church! But it is a command to GO tell others about Jesus and lead them to become, not just believers, but disciples who are intent on following Jesus and making a difference.
We have gathered this morning to worship. When we leave, let us GO to serve! Amen.
Century Christian Church, May 22, 2005 - Sermon by Jim Westmoreland
1. The Rev. Robina Marie Winbush, "It's Not Over," at Presbyterian Church, USA, May 26, 2002.