Famous Last Words
Read Matthew 26:1–28:20
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16. The eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18. Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20
The last words of many famous people have been recorded and pondered. Final statements from the lips of the dying become a rich source for everything from term paper quotations to attention grabbers in sermons.
This last passage of Matthew contains Jesus’ famous last words. But unlike the somber, reflective words of a dying man, Christ’s words have a triumphant ring to them. That’s because he has overcome death and has faithfully completed the task given to him by his Father. As Jesus prepares to return to his Father, he gives his disciples their final mission. As you read, listen carefully to Jesus’ commission to his disciples (and you)—to reach the world for him.
Just before leaving the earth, Jesus gave his disciples some final instructions: “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).
Although Jesus gave this command to the disciples present at his ascension into heaven, it still applies to all believers today. Every disciple needs to make other disciples, to tell others about Jesus and his invitation to receive him as Savior and Lord. Some imagine that the job of sharing the good news about Christ falls mainly to full-time evangelists, but that’s not what Jesus said on that mountain. Any method of communicating the gospel, any means of helping people feel or recognize their need for Christ, any help to others taking steps of faith makes disciples. Jesus didn’t limit the spreading of the Good News to formal presentations in front of crowds. All believers can communicate the news about Christ, and we all have gifts that we can use to tell his story in a significant way.
