Matthew 28:19

Read the Context: Matthew 28 NIV
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
 
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
 
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
 
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
 
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
 
Devotional
Throughout this week, we have been reminded that the church is a gathering place, but it is also a sending place. We gather to worship, grow in the Word, encourage one another, and be equipped by the Holy Spirit. Then we go into the world to make Jesus known.
Now we come to the question that brings it all together: What will we do with what God has shown us?
In Matthew 28, the risen Jesus gives His disciples their mission. They are to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey His commands. This was not a suggestion reserved for a select group of spiritual leaders. It was a commission for His followers.
And Jesus did not send them alone. He promised to be with them always.
That promise changes how we approach the mission. We are not responsible for changing people's hearts through our own power. We are called to faithfully represent Jesus, share the gospel, pray, love people, and trust God to work.
We cannot force someone to believe. We cannot answer every question or solve every problem. But we can be faithful to the opportunities God places before us.
Imagine what could happen if every believer began each day asking, “Lord, who can I encourage today? Who needs to hear about Your grace? Who needs to see Your love through me?”
Imagine if every person at Crestview intentionally prayed for one friend who does not know Jesus and looked for an opportunity to invite that person into a relationship with Christ. Imagine if our workplaces, neighborhoods, homes, and friendships became places where people experienced the compassion and truth of Jesus. The impact would reach far beyond a Sunday morning service.
The mission begins when we leave the building. It continues in the conversations we have, the kindness we show, the truth we share, and the people we faithfully love.
So keep gathering. Keep worshiping. Keep learning. Keep growing.
But don't stop there.
Let your worship lead you to obedience. Let your spiritual gifts become acts of service. Let your testimony become an invitation to hope. Let the Holy Spirit direct your steps.
Our prayer must become more than, “God, here I am. Send me.”
It must also become, “God, when You send me, I will go.”
The church is not just a place where we come to hear about Jesus. It is a people who carry the hope of Jesus wherever He sends them.
Let's keep gathering. Let's keep growing. And let's keep going.

Put It Into Practice

• Write down the name of one person you want to see come to know Jesus. Pray for that person every day this week.
• Take a specific step toward sharing Christ's love, whether through an invitation, a conversation, an act of service, or a personal testimony.
• Ask God to help you live with a greater awareness of His mission in your everyday life.

Reflection Question
If I truly believe Jesus has sent me into the world, what is one change I need to make in how I live, love, or share my faith?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me, filling me with Your Spirit, and inviting me to participate in Your mission. I do not want to be content with simply receiving Your blessings. I want my life to become a blessing to others. Give me a heart for those who are hurting, searching, and far from You. Help me recognize the opportunities You place before me and give me the courage to act. Let my home, workplace, neighborhood, and relationships become places where Your love is seen and Your truth is shared. Holy Spirit, lead me, equip me, and send me. And when You call me to go, help me go willingly. May Crestview be a church where the hurting find healing, the broken find hope, the weary find strength, and people hear the good news of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.