A commission is “an instruction, command, or role given to a person or group.” Remember Jesus is the commissioning Christ and he has issued the Great Commission for all Christians. Regrettably, many Christians do not take Christ’s Great Commission personally. Someone suggests that 95% of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ. 80% of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ. Less than 2% are involved in the ministry of evangelism. 71% do not give toward the financing of the Great Commission. These statistics reveal a great omission in the church today. Let’s note three things from Matthew 28:16-20.

First, note the supreme authority of the commissioner. Jesus Christ said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18b). Matthew stresses the theme of Christ’s authority throughout his gospel (Matthew 7:29; 9:6; 10:1; 21:23). Jesus Christ is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36; and Romans 10:12). In Colossians 1:15-17 Paul declares the following about Jesus: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things consist.” All Christians are accountable to Jesus Christ.

Second, note the sole authorship of the Commission. Matthew 28:16-18a reads, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying...” Jesus Christ spoke these words directly to his disciples and indirectly to us as the marching orders for his church (Mark 16:14-15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:19-23; and Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is a worldwide endeavor.

Third, note the specific authorization of the commissioned. Matthew 28:19-20 reads, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. The good news of Jesus Christ is for everyone. Let the whole world know.

Vance Havner said, “The primary qualification for a missionary is not love for souls, as we often hear, but love for Christ.” The first stanza of the hymn by Elizabeth P. Prentiss titled “More Love to Thee” presents the following plea:

“More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!”

John Newton said, “Our work is great; our time is short; the consequences of our labors are infinite.” Dear Christian, may you obediently follow the commissioning Christ.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.