If you look at the Great Commision you will find that it says to go and make disiciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded.
An interesting thing in the Greek is that the word `go` is a participle. This would imply the phrase `as you are going´ make disiciples, baptize them, and teach them how to be mature followers of Christ. One does not have to Go into another country to obey this command from our Lord.
This really impacted me last night after supper when we stopped to get ice cream. While in line at a local McDonald’s we had two young brothers come up to some of the members of our team asking them to buy some candy they had made. You could tell from looking at them that they were poor (they had no shoes for one thing) and the interpretor told us that they would probably sleep on the cold streets of Nova Friburgo tonight. This was heart breaking. If I could go back I would change my response….
This is what Jesus meant in the Great Commission when He said `as you are going`. As we go about our daily lives (recreation, work, school, bonding with family and friends etc) it is very important that we be on the lookout for the hurting, the overlooked, the people in the margins…. For to whom much is given is not much expected?
As you are going….
(thanks for this word Dr. T and Bubba)
John
