Mission impossible?

Jesus drew near and said to them, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.’ (verses 18-20)

Read Matthew 28:16-20

It’s an impossible task. Go to all people? Everywhere? Make them disciples, baptise them and teach them to obey?  How is that humanly possible? I have enough trouble getting my children to clean up their room, stop fighting with one another or finish their homework. How is it possible that I could actually accomplish what Jesus commands here?

The key lies in the first and last lines of the passage. Jesus has all authority. What he says goes. Jesus will be with you always, to the very end. You are not being thrown in at the deep end to sink or swim alone. Rather, you are being called to live and witness, knowing that Jesus is the ruler of this world and that he is with you at every waking moment to support you, encourage you, care for you and love you.

The impossible has just become possible, because in Jesus all things are possible.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, help me remember that all things are possible in you, Lord God. Amen.

by Tom Peitsch, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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