Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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 28:16-20)
Four passages will help us put into very clear focus the inevitability of God’s plan for the nations. Three sections from Matthew’s gospel and one from John’s book make it crystal clear that God’s purpose to be known and praised among the nations cannot fail. It is an absolute certain promise.
First Century Jews viewed history as the story of the God of Israel working through the heroes of the Old Testament to move His plan forward. Now the writer tells them why these heroes were great. It wasn’t their ancestry or their performance. Behind every act that God commends is a heart of faith. It’s a list that would surprise and maybe even embarrass these Jewish Christians. But it’s a list of those who lived great lives from God’s perspective because they believed what He said, even when they couldn’t see it.
God is a master of signage. Here is what Jesus said in Matthew 16:2, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be clear weather, because the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, because the sky is red and threatening.’” In English we say, “Red sky at night is a sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, good sailors take warning.” God puts up a brightly lit sign every morning and evening so we can prepare for the weather He is sending. He also lights up a sign for certain generations in world history.
In one of the most heartfelt of Paul’s letters, he writes his much-loved church at Thessalonica to encourage them to walk with Christ until He returns. Enemies of the gospel had forced Paul to flee the city, but they couldn’t prevent the Apostle from caring for and praying for these people he had poured his life into. Paul sent Timothy to check on the fledgling church and was so encouraged by Timothy’s good report of their growing faith, despite great opposition, that he sent this letter we know as 1 Thessalonians from Corinth.
It’s about learning to Be Who You Are. And Paul knows the more you know and live your “in Christ-identity”, the more missions will look to you like it does to God! That’s missions in Ephesians (and every one of Paul’s other letters, too).
