The Great Commission

The great commission is a command which should be obeyed (Mathew 28:19-20). The ministry that was passed down to us is threefold. We are called to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), to the fellowship within the body of saints (1 John 1: 7), and to reach out to the lost (Mathew 28:19, mark 16:15-20).

Why Jesus had to leave after His resurrection

There is a significant reason why Jesus had to leave after death. In John 16 verse 7, Jesus says that it is expedient for Him to leave. But why? The presence of Jesus Christ on earth means there is no room for the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ could only be in one single place at a time. Everyone who wanted His service would have to go to where He was. He was so amazing that everyone wanted to be with Him. Jesus Christ knew that if He had to send disciples to a far-off place, they would not accept. And if they did, out of obedience, the work they were going to do would be ineffective because they would be far from the source of power―Jesus Himself. This impedance would have a significant effect on the spread of the Gospel. God wants everyone to know that there is a way to be saved. He wants every single soul to be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

Christ’s return as a personal helper

Jesus Christ could not reach out to the ends of the earth. But then He was God; couldn’t He do anything? Jesus Christ could do anything He pleased; He had the power. Nonetheless, it is important to note that His physical being (Him assuming the body of man) restrained Him from fully using His power. It was then that He would send another form of Himself, the Holy Spirit, to guide the disciples into attaining God’s objective. The Spirit could be in so many places at the same time―after all, the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being. He can fill several people simultaneously and guide them all the same, a trait that Jesus could not achieve in His physical form. This way, Jesus could be with every believer wherever and He could offer support on call. So, it turns out that His departure is far more beneficial to the believer than is a demerit.

A relay race

With the plan immaculately orchestrated, the mantle is then handed over to the believer to witness to the world the goodness of God and the joy of salvation.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

(Mathew 28:19 KJV)

These are some of the last words of Jesus to the disciples and His followers before He went home. God indeed wanted the Gospel to spread. Every Christian should talk of the Gospel and be courageous about it (Romans 1:16). Proverbs 11:30 says those who win souls are wise. Before that, it says that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life (KJV). The tree of life here is Christ, and they that present the good news of salvation to them that are fallen to perdition are wise.

Fellowship is essential

It is also essential for a Christian to fellowship with other Christians. In the letter to the Hebrews, Paul tells the Hebrews not to forsake the assembling of themselves (Hebrews 10:25). He wants them to continue encouraging themselves in the faith. It was easy for some believers to lose hope. Exhortation would help them get back on track because the strength of a fellow believer is a great inspiration. The same happens today in our churches. It is intrinsic for believers to fellowship together to share their faith. For some, it is a privilege. If you can attend a fellowship, do not take that for granted. There are several Christians out there who have been denied the right of worship because their new belief is considered a betrayal of their culture or religion.