The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

An Appointment with Jesus

The meeting of the disciples with Jesus on Mount Galilee was not a chance meeting. Jesus had planned and instructed the disciples ahead of time to meet with Him there. They had an appointment with Jesus! Jesus kept the appointment despite everything the disciples had done between the time He set the appointment and when it actually took place. He came to meet with, and send out the very same disciples who had slept when He needed them to pray with Him in the garden. Jesus came to meet with them and entrust them to tell the world that He is alive forevermore; even after they had forsaken Him as He died on the cross. He included Thomas who had doubted His Resurrection and Peter who had denied that he even knew who Him at all. And I believe if Judas had repented and asked for forgiveness after he sold Jesus to His accusers, even he could have been at this commissioning appointment with the Lord, but sadly he did not.

What if Jesus made an appointment today for us to meet with Him? It would be amazing that He kept the appointment despite all the things we have done to Him. We often sleep when we should be praying. We often forsake Jesus even after He died on the cross for us. We often doubt His Resurrection power and sometimes live as if we don't even know who He is. We sin against Him and do not repent or ask for forgiveness quite often.

Actually, Jesus has made an appointment with every believer to meet with Him daily. As we accept Him as Savior and Lord, Jesus expects us to walk with Him always, to commune with Him in prayer always. He is living in us and through us and expects us to keep not only an appointment with Him but to keep His commands found in His Word as well. He has commissioned all of us to go and teach all nations. He is truly with all who believe, not just a select few.

Through His Word we receive wisdom to walk in the way He would have us walk. Through prayer, we receive peace, strength, and comfort to face all we confront on the journey. Through His Spirit living in us, we have the power to go to others and teach them to observe all things He has commanded. Have you kept your appointment with Jesus today?

jbp