Commissioned to Teach

Christian Community Comes AliveSeeds of New Growth
Thessalonica, Beroea, and Athens

Matthew 28:16-20  The Message

^16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

^18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age

 

For Reflection

Here we see the meaning of worship in the context of the Christ event.  Worship was not just meeting one or two days a week and singing praises, praying and listening to a sermon.  Worship was not passive.  Worship meant to risk one's present life for the life centered in the practice of the Way, Jesus's practice of radical trust in God and interpreting the wisdom of the scriptures.  Faith in the context of the life lived by Jesus was characterized by radical trust in God which freed human kind to practice a life driven by love in fellowship with each other and God.

In this interpretation of Scripture, telling is replaced by teaching.  It is not enough that we believe in God and Christ.  We must also practice our beliefs.  That is what was taught in the early Church.  The dependence upon rules and ritualistic distance from God was replaced with participation in the radical idea of God's Kingdom.  It was not about our destination after death -- heaven or hell.  It was about the life here and now, eternally perpetuated by training others in the practice of the way.

Pray

that your life will remain dedicated to the perpetuation of the Way of Jesus Christ.  Pray that you will live the life Christ taught us to live, working for justice, compassion and mutual support in all things.