Matthew 28:16-20 Gospel reading for Sunday June 19th - Trinity Sunday
We are dealing here with number 4 of the most commonly read and researched verses in all of the Bible! (according to the TOP VERSES web site).
There is much packed in to these 5 verses from Matthew 28. At least five major threads come to mind - The authority of Jesus, The Trinity, Baptism, Mission and the reassurance of ongoing presence.
It seems reasonably obvious why this is a selected text for the celebration of Trinity Sunday, because it has Jesus himself proclaiming in the same sentence the names of Father Son and Spirit ... but for this edition of G.R. the plan is to just concentrate on the actual commissioning.
Such is the importance of this message that Jesus has left us with, that a version of it is recorded in each of the Gospels - plus one in Acts for good measure.
(see also Acts 1:4–8)
Each version is slightly different, but to be correctly understood and appreciated, each needs to be interpreted in the light of specific emphases, themes and surrounding context used by the individual gospel writers ... so what's of particular interest in this version from Matthew?
The response of the disciples when they meet Jesus is fascinating ... they worshipped him; but some doubted. It possibly seeds the wavering thoughts in many of us along the lines of ... if the disciples who were there as witnesses struggled with understanding and acceptance of Jesus - what chance do we have?
To be fair to the disciples however, it seems that a better translation would be a combination of: being in two minds, uncertainty, confusion, hesitation, being overwhelmed - or as the Message puts it ... "Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally."
It must have been an incredibly overwhelming experience while clearly being an unbelievable privilege to be present at that reunion. But what is all this saying to us today - especially in our roles as leaders in Lutheran Schools? I think we all know the drill. Most of us as Christian people would be well aware of the expectations placed on us by these words, yet we don't find that natural or easy. For many of us the comfort zone stops at the worship response. We are not good at going out and making disciples ... or are we?
The last thing we should feel here is any sense of guilt, inadequacy or even neglect of the expectations of the great commission. This is not a call to go on a mission trip, stand on a soap box, embark on a door-to-door visiting program or hand out leaflets in a shopping mall. Let's instead read this as affirmation for us as less than perfect people, to continue doing what we are already doing (at our stations) ... showing people Jesus by our actions, through the way we relate to each other, through our manner of serving others; reassured by the knowledge that even though we too doubt at times, that He is with us always.
Let's not forget that we have already GONE OUT into the world that is Lutheran Schools. We are already on a mission. We've been commissioned. We (through the life-changing presence and action of the Holy Spirit) are already making disciples in our carparks, staffrooms, schoolyards, and classrooms.
Lord give us the courage to continue doing our work - your work - in a world where many are overwhelmed, uncertain, confused and anxious. Help us to show people Jesus.
Nev
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