Introduction
This passage is the final
instructive from Jesus to his disciples. After his resurrection, Jesus’ first
appearance to the two women (Matt. 28:7-9), and he sent two women to tell the
disciples to go to Galilee and to meet him (Matt. 28:10). And our text is his
second appearance to the eleven disciples at Galilee (Matt. 28:16-20). In this
passage the narrator intends to remind his reader (s) to understand Jesus is
more than human (i.e., Jesus is the “Son of God,” and “King”), and his special
purpose for our life.
Homiletical Outlines
1. Obey Jesus because he
alone to be worshipped
Matthew 28:16, the narrator
narrating the story that the eleven disciples (cf. after the death of Judas at
27:5) went up to the mountain of Galilee where Jesus had arranged to meet them.
There are two groups of people
who went to meet Jesus in Galilee: (i) those who worshiped Jesus; and (ii)
those who doubted.
2. Obey Jesus because he has
the supreme authority over all aspects of life
The spheres in which he now
exercises absolute (as the risen Lord) authority are enlarged to include heaven
and earth (i.e., universe). Moreover, this passage echoes Daniel 7:14 says, “To
him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, all nations,
and language should serve him….”
3. Obey Jesus’ commands
because his presence and power would among his believers
Jesus links his universal
authority with the command to “go” and “make disciples of all the nations”
through the connecting word “therefore.” Once the disciples are made, it is
essential for them to be baptized in the name of the triune God (Father, Son,
and the Holy Spirit in one Godhead) in order to become incorporated into a
Christian community or signifies incorporation into the fellowship of God. The
activity of “teaching” is also essential part of the discipling process. The
disciples obeyed and imitated the words and actions of the Lord Jesus and then
passed on to others what he taught.
4. Conclusion
Finally, we learnt that the
disciples made Jesus King of their lives and worship him as their Savior, God,
and King….
5. Application
Just like the disciples, with
the same authority, Jesus still commanded us to tell others the Good
News and
make them disciples for the kingdom….
