Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 28:16-20.
Jesus’ last words in the Gospel of Matthew are full of promise. He has all authority over everything (v.18), He is part of the Triune Godhead (v.19), and He will be with us forever (v.20). What a joy to know that Jesus is not only all powerful but has committed himself to cling to us through thick and thin. The calling for the church is clear: make disciples through baptism in the name of the Triune God and teaching. These words may seem too simple, but it is truly a work of the Holy Spirit through the means of grace. He calls the church to proclaim this good news. The holy catholic and apostolic church calls pastors to faithfully preach the Gospel and administer His sacraments while the priesthood of all believers proclaim this truth in their daily vocations. “I know my Redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives, who once was dead; He lives my ever-living head (Lutheran Service Book 461, LSB “I Know my Redeemer lives”).”
Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.
Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 28:19 Or into
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org
