Page 22 - February 2025 - Truth & Tidings

lthough Matthew provides us whom the Savior sent: “And when they-
with the most detailed account, saw him, they worshipped him: but some
Aall four Gospels record the Great doubted” (Mat 28:17). The Greek word
Commission, or at least components of for “doubt” here (distazo) means a state of
it. For the purposes of this chapter, we uncertainty or hesitation. It was not that
1
will confine our study primarily to what the disciples failed to believe in the resur-
Matthew reports. rection, but only that some took longer to
realize it was Christ, as was the case in His
The People the Lord Sends previously recorded appearance (see John
“Then the eleven disciples went away 21, esp. v4). Again, we can appreciate the
into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus honesty of Scripture, not portraying the
had appointed them” (Mat 28:16). Ap- Lord’s followers as perfect, but recording
2
parently, the seven disciples who met the their flaws and failures without cover-
Lord by the Sea of Tiberias reunited with ing up anything. These are the people
the others and arrived at the designated the Lord sends. If He only sent perfect
mountain where the Savior told them to people, He would not have any candi-
3
go. Although there were others present dates to carry out the Great Commission.
in the Upper Room in Jerusalem when Charles Spurgeon said, “Who is to go
Christ appeared (Luk 24:33), Matthew out of that first band of disciples? It is Pe-
mentions only “the eleven” (the original ter, the rash and the headstrong. It is John,
twelve minus Judas) when the Great who sometimes wishes to call fire from
Commission was given. But we must not heaven to destroy men. It is Philip, with
restrict what the Lord said to them as if whom the Saviour has been so long, and
there were no application to us. The Lord yet he has not known Him. It is Thomas,
Jesus is still sending His people to carry who must put his finger into the print of
out His mission. the nails, or he will not believe Him. Yet
Notice how Scripture describes those the Master says to them, ‘Go … You are
as good for My purpose as anybody else
1 See Mat 28:16-20; Mar 16:14-18; Luk 24:44-49 would be.’” As we are about to notice,
(esp. v47); Joh 20:21. it is not our supposed strengths which
2 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV determine the Great Commission’s suc-
unless otherwise noted.
3 Note these previous mountain experiences in cess, nor will our weaknesses hinder it;
Matthew (4:8; 5:1; 14:23; 15:29; 17:1; 24:3; 26:30). therefore, the Lord sends people just like

54 TRUTH kTidings February 2025