The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
These words were spoken by Our Lord shortly before He ascended into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God, The Father.
The other morning while in prayer, Christmas carols were playing in the background. A familiar carol that I have heard from childhood came on the radio. It was: “I Saw Three Ships come sailing in.” Now to be honest with you, I think I had wondered about that song before and where it fit with Christmas. So I decided to do a little checking to see the background of that carol.
This is what I found on Wikipedia:
"I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)" is a traditional and popular Christmas Carol from England. A variant of its parent tune “Greensleeves,” the earliest printed version of "I Saw Three Ships" is from the 17th century, possibly Derbyshire, and was also published by William Sandys in 1833. The lyrics mention the ships sailing into Bethlehem, but the nearest body of water is the Dead Sea about 20 miles (32 km) away. The reference to three ships is thought to originate in the three ships that bore the purported relics of the Biblical magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century.I Saw Three Ships
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day in the morning.And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.Our Saviour Christ and his lady
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.Then let us all rejoice, amain, (with great strength, speed)
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, amain, (with great strength, speed)
On Christmas day in the morning.Upon checking further, I found that there was actually quite a bit of discussion about this song and the meaning. The line "come sailing into Bethlehem" seemed to raise many questions because Bethlehem is not near the sea. The definition of the word Bethlehem is: “House of bread” or “House of Flesh.” Another thought was: Could the reference to Christ and His Lady” be a reference to Jesus and His Church? As I was thinking about this, the thought came to my mind: “I know of three ships that came sailing” -- they were actually sailing with Christopher Columbus at the helm along with his expedition – the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. This was in 1492 and “the door” to the western world was opened up. I don’t know if this was the intention of the writer of this English carol, but it sure seemed to fit with the great commission. (Note to self: Check this out when we all get to heaven!)
I started looking further and decided that I wanted to see where Christopher Columbus was on Christmas Day, 1492. I am going to include a link to Columbus Journal of events: http://www.americanjourneys.org/pdf/AJ-062.pdf I found it interesting to read the journal notations – I definitely got the sense that one of the purposes of this voyage was to evangelize the unknown world with the message of Jesus Christ.
The following paragraph is a quote from Wikipedia regarding Christopher Columbus:
Though Columbus was not the first European explorer to reach the Americas (having been preceded by the Norse expedition led by Leif Ericson in the 11th century, his voyages led to the first lasting European contact with the Americas, inaugurating a period of European exploration, conquest, and colonization that lasted for several centuries. These voyages had, therefore, an enormous impact in the historical development of the modern Western world. Columbus spearheaded the transatlantic slave trade and has been accused by several historians of initiating the genocide of the Hispaniola natives. Columbus himself saw his accomplishments primarily in the light of spreading the Christian religion.
At this point I began thinking about the early years of our country’s history – the colonies and development of this great nation.
My thoughts turned to our very first president – George Washington. I am including a link to his first inaugural address: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html
The following paragraph in George Washington’s address to our nation is as follows:
I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my Country can inspire: since there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity: Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
I am touched by his words – the tone and devotion – to this country and obviously to God in Heaven above. Truly as a born again believer in Jesus Christ, I do not believe that we can separate Love of God from the Love of our nation. I believe George Washington’s words regarding the propitious smiles of Heaven and a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right might have served as a warning that we should not disregard the blessings of God who is creator of all things. I believe that God has made our nation great – it was His plan all along! Jesus last words to us were: Go and made disciples of all nations, all peoples…. And thus through Christopher Columbus and the early settlers to our land, the gospel has been spread throughout the western world. The Great Commission has gone forth - each and every one of us is a part of that. I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this Great Commission, to be able to extend His love and mercy, which He so graciously extends to me and to the other believers who we encounter along life’s way.
This may not sound much like a Christmas message – BUT, to someone who has never met Jesus as Lord and Savior, it would be the best Christmas message they ever heard if they received and accepted His Precious Gift of Salvation.
Matthew 9:10-13
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Another thought that came just in the last week or two involved a commentary on the three wise men following the star, and seeking the “King”… After they encountered Herod and questioned him regarding the birth of the king, the Magi went on to find the Christ child in the manger. The shepherds in the fields following the announcement by the angels of the Messiah’s birth, found the Christ child in the manger. King Herod consulted his advisers who knew the scriptures of the Jewish people. He was told that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Even with the “unusual star” shining brightly above, I cannot find anywhere in recorded scripture that the Jewish people went to see if it was true – if their Messiah had been born. Perhaps they did not expect the Messiah to be born as a baby in a manger in an obsolete place on a cold night to a young virgin, Mary, and her godly husband, Joseph.
Thus, God’s plan to evangelize the whole world was underway - starting with the birth of Baby Jesus, His earthly ministry and His death on the cross of Calvary for the sin of the world. These events were followed by His resurrection from the dead after three days and then appearing to his disciples in His resurrected body. He final instructions to “the believers” was to go and make disciples of all nations in the world. He then ascended to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God.The good news continues when he sends “the helper” or “the comforter” as He promised he would.
Acts 1:4-5 - The Holy Spirit Promised4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 2:2-4 - Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:14-19 - Peter’s Sermon
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:
‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Joel 2:28 - God’s Spirit Poured Out
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
“The Church” was born on Pentecost after Jesus death and resurrection. He had sent the promised Holy Spirit to be present with His disciples (believers) always. The Great Commission began and continues even today. Believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved. It is all true – God’s word is true – His message of love for mankind is made possible to anyone who will accept His Gift – His offer – of love and forgiveness. He knows we are not perfect and cannot be perfect – But He looks upon the heart. He understands our failures and weaknesses. His promise includes to make us strong where we are weak depending upon His presence with us even to the end of the age. He asks that we confess, believe and repent – His promised return is near now.
Revelation 22:20-21 - I Am Coming Quickly
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.