It was Helen Keller that was once asked if there was anything worse than being born without physical sight. She responded that it would be worse to be born with physical sight but not have vision. We continue to look at how vision played an important part of Paul’s life. Jesus stopped Paul on the road where he was persecuting Christians. Paul knew the scriptures, but he did not see the truth of Jesus. And it was through Paul’s vision to get through his spiritual blindness. So as we move forward, just as Paul, we need to be on board with God’s vision for our lives and work towards that vision.
This verse serves as a reminder of our journey. If we do not have a vision in place in a group, business, or organization, we will find that people will start acting without restraint and all would end up in different places. It is interesting that our society cries out for freedom and looks to cast out God seeing it as a restraint. But it only leads to being lost in the world without purpose or meaning in life.
This passage is known as the Great Commission. The eleven disciples (minus Judas) go to Galilee. And they saw him and even then some doubted. It can be seen as as encouraging that some doubted. If this was some made up story, you wouldn’t think they would include this. Skepticism is something that can speak into the truthfulness of the situation.
Jesus then told them that all authority has been given to Him. It is a deep spiritual and earthly truth. It means that we should really pay attention to what he has to say. Jesus follows that statement to go and make disciples. As you go about your life, your command from Jesus is to make disciples. And that you are going to baptize them (or immerse them) in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If you are going to be a follower of Jesus, this is what it looks like.
So always remember, in your going we are to make disciples. Baptizing them in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them in the wisdom of God. It is a simple directive. All connected to Jesus’ identity and God’s love. And Jesus will be with us to the end of the age. All eternity! By knowing Him and living for Him in this moment, we will then know Him forever!
Can you see God’s vision of your life? Are you willing to go in your life and then fulfilling that commission given by Jesus?
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law. (ESV)
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. (ESV)
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 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.” (ESV)