Go Make Disciples

Deuteronomy 4:32-40; 2 Corinthians 13:5-14; Matthew 28:16-20

The night before last I had the opportunity to witness the consecration of two persons into Diaconal Ministry, nineteen persons ordained deacons, and nine persons ordained elders in the United Methodist Church. And I was a witness to these special proceedings of the Annual Conference from a different perspective than I have ever had before, because, unlike the 1,000 or so persons who sat behind those who were to be consecrated or ordained, I had the opportunity to sit in front of those persons and, thus, was able to see their faces. Indeed, as I sat with the rest of the brass ensemble at the very front of the auditorium, positioned there to accompany the singing of the hymns, I was able to see the expressions of joy and hope and prayer upon the faces of those who were to be given authority by the bishop to do special work within the church, or to read the Holy Scriptures in the Church, to Preach the Word, and/or to administer the Holy Sacraments. And I can assure you that those who sat there did not do so stoicly, with blank, expressionless faces. But, some sat there with tears rolling down their cheeks. Some sat there with eyes and hands lifted up to heaven, their lips forming words of prayer. Not one of them sat there without an expression of joy and confidence upon their face.

Why? Because they were being given authority to do some important work in the church, authority which they had worked for many years to be given. And, for many, as they sat there, there was an intense feeling of God's Spirit filling them and making them ready to be especially used for his glory, especially set to work for the growth of the Body of Christ.

But, as I was sitting there, witnessing this marvelous event of joy, I was reminded that all Christians are ordained at their baptisms to be ministers and disciples of Jesus Christ. I was reminded that all of us, laity and clergy, alike, have been called by God and sent forth by Christ to do something special. In fact, Jesus said it, himself, in our gospel lesson for today when he gave the Great Commission: "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."

In fact, as members of the United Methodist Church we already have the opportunity to obey this Great Commission in many different ways. For instance, some of us may wonder how we can possibly to and make disciples of all nations. After all, most of us wouldn't consider us to be world travellers. But, through the ministry of the United Methodist Church, we can be world travellers in more ways than we may know.

On Wednesday of last week, many lay persons had the opportunity to go hear Millicent Rench, the Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, speak. And she explained how the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church has over 1500 persons in mission in over 100 countries, including our own. And all of these missionaries are involved in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with persons living in those parts of the world. Yes, certainly, many of them are doctors, or nurses, or teachers, or engineers. But their primary goal is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to persons who haven't heard it. And, you see, when we support their work with our prayers and with our financial gifts, we join them in that work. Indeed, we should be reminded that when our church pays its share of World Services and Conference Benevolences, or when we send money to advance specials, or when we designate money to be sent to specific missionaries by covenanting with them, we join hands with those disciples who, indeed, have gone into all the world to make disciples of all nations.

As I think back upon the night before last, as I saw the joy and excitement on the faces of those who were being ordained or who had just received their ordination, I was reminded of my own excitement when I was ordained. And as I sat there I wondered: How can I bring this sense of excitement back home to my churches? How can I let others know that being Christ's disciples is something that all of us can be thrilled about?

In our lesson from the Gospel for today we read that after Jesus' death and resurrection Jesus' disciples were told to go to Galilee to a mountain where Jesus would meet with them. And so, they went. And we are told that when Jesus appeared to them they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Perhaps they doubted because they couldn't believe their eyes. Perhaps they doubted because they couldn't understand. Perhaps they doubted because they didn't have confidence in the power of God or in their own worth as disciples. But, Jesus told them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." And then, taking that infinite authority, he sent his followers forth into the world to share the Good News that those who believe in Jesus Christ shall be saved.

As I stand here today I firmly believe that Christ continues to use his infinite authority to send us forth, as well. And when you think about it, this is exciting! Yes, when we think of ourselves as being witnesses for Jesus Christ in our communities and in the world, many of us may wonder and may even hesitate because we fear that we may not have what it takes to do the job. But our gospel lesson for today tells us that we have what it takes. Our gospel lesson for today tells us that we have all the backing we need to do the job. For behind us, supporting us, strengthening us, and giving us boldness for the asking is nothing less than the infinite authority of Jesus Christ.

And this is exciting, indeed. Amen.