Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Devotional: Have you noticed the trend yet this week that in each way the antichrist works, the Holy Spirit does the opposite? And not only does the Holy Spirit work in the opposite way, but He does also so much more effectively. Where the antichrist distracts, the spirit of God mobilizes and encourages us. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, we should we be on fire for God and wanting to share the gospel with those around us.
Our passage of Scripture for today is called the Great Commission. Jesus had been resurrected from the dead and returned to earth for forty days. During this time, He was encouraging his disciples to spread the word about Him all over the world. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Notice that Jesus references the authority that has been given to the disciples through the Holy Spirit. He encourages them to go out into the world and to preach the good news that Jesus died for us and conquered death. And then He ends with a note of encouragement, saying that He will always be with them.
This same passage applies to us. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. We are called to make disciples of all nations. And we can hold fast to the truth that God is always with us and will never forsake us.
Reflect:
- Pray that God will put people in your life that you can share the gospel with.
- Praise God that the Holy Spirit is at work in the life of believers all around the world!