The Great Commission...and doubt

Last night we were blessed to attend the midweek meal and study at North River Baptist church. They are beginning a study of the harmony of the gospels which we enjoyed greatly. We started with an overview of the book of Matthew. As we traveled quickly through this book, we came to the end...the Great Commission.

As we were reading through those last few verses, Dr. Steve pointed out something to me that I hadn't thought about before. Look at these verses yourself:
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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..." Matthew 28:16-19.

The disciples saw Jesus and they worshiped him...but some doubted. Have you ever felt that way before? Has your world ever turned upside down and you knew that God was in control with your head...but your heart had a doubt or two? Have you been ashamed to ever admit that though you know that you are saved, you doubt at times? The disciples of Jesus knew those feelings. Jesus had died along with their hopes of an earthly kingdom. Now, he has been raised from the dead and was standing before them in Galilee. Some doubted...

In the midst of that doubt (and Jesus knew that they had doubts), Jesus speaks authority over them. He reminds them that all rule and power and dominion has been given to HIM. And based on that alone are they to "go". If we think we can go and teach, preach, disciple, mentor, evangelize, comfort, guide or counsel anyone in our own authority...we will fail. Our only hope to reach a lost and dying world is Jesus and the authority that He has on this earth and in heaven.

I am so glad that God's Word is here for those of us who are flawed. I am so glad that God chose to leave in the details like "some doubted." Because if we are honest, we have all had times when faced with an awesome opportunity to worship Jesus Christ, we have looked around at our lives and doubted. But, in the midst of that doubt, Jesus Christ calls us to stand in His authority and "go and make disciples of all nations."

You and I don't have any authority to do anything at all. But, if we stand in the authority of Jesus Christ we will never fail.

Take time today to look at your own life. Are you trying to parent, teach, lead, preach, counsel, encourage, work, or love in your own strength and authority? If so, realize that our place in this life is to stand humbly in the shadow of Jesus' authority. What a place that is!