Daily Devotionals

Get in the Game Week 1: Monday

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

What comes to mind when you think about the phrase "mission statement?" Maybe the phrase makes you think of your company's mission statement at work. Maybe the phrase takes you back to when you had to write a mission statement for an assignment in college. Mission statements are important because they help us understand our primary goal and purpose, whether at work or in our personal lives. Here at Sagebrush, our mission is to know Christ and to make Christ known. This is our mission because we want to take Jesus' command in Scripture to make disciples seriously. 

Before Jesus left earth and returned to Heaven, He gave His mission to His disciples in Matthew 28. As they gathered them together, He told them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth" (verse 18). Jesus holds all of the power and authority over everything. In light of this truth, Jesus continued teaching, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (verse 19). Jesus' authority over everything was the launching pad to the command to "make disciples of all the nations." As Jesus finished giving His command, He gave a promise, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (verse 20). The commitment of Jesus' disciples to follow His command to go and make disciples made a lasting impact. It was also costly for these disciples. They were beaten, imprisoned, and even killed for their faith. I am confident that Jesus' promise of His presence brought peace and courage as they made disciples. Indeed, they were never alone.

Jesus' command to make disciples was for more than just His first-century followers. It is for you and me today. We get to carry His mission of making disciples and making Him known to others. This is our mission. This is our calling. As we go throughout our daily lives, we are called to be disciple-makers who spread the name of Jesus. We know the mission. It is crystal clear. The question is, will we take that mission seriously?

Moving toward action

Memorize Matthew 28:19-20. Bring this passage of Scripture to mind often. Let it remind you of the mission that Jesus has given each one of His followers: to tell the world about Him. Ask God to give you a passion and desire to spread His word to everyone around you.

Going Deeper

Going Deeper - Matthew 28:1-20

"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

5 Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you."

8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there."

11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, "You must say, 'Jesus' disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.' 14 If the governor hears about it, we'll stand up for you so you won't get in trouble." 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him-but some of them doubted!

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."