Text: Matthew 28:16-20
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…’” —Matthew 28:18-19
For many, it happens every year. It’s called the Easter Hangover! It affects pastors, worship leaders, and droves of ministry volunteers. It’s the fog and haze of leaving it all out on the field Easter Sunday—the church’s ‘Superbowl’—then once the dust settles, the team is wiped out.
This spiritual hangover comes right after the Big Event. But we must remember that in scripture, what immediately followed the resurrection “event” was the Great Commission “movement.”
In Matthew 28, the disciples went to Galilee, to that “post-big-event” mountain where Jesus had directed them following His resurrection. Then Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
With the very first disciples, there was no time for spiritual hangovers. No time for mission drift, no time for getting stuck in complacency. Jesus didn’t come back from the dead to leave them in a spiritual stupor, but to unleash a movement roaring with Good News for the world—taking that glorious resurrection story to every tribe and language and people and nation (Revelation 5:9-10). “And be sure of this,” Jesus says, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to “go” because they were ready. Not because they had attained sufficient seminary pedigree or could flash an impressive spiritual résumé. Not because they had finally become the best version of themselves after all these years. Not because they had amassed enough life savings to hold them up. No, Jesus commanded His ragtag crew of broken, flawed, and rough-around-the-edges misfits to “go” simply on the promise of “I am with you always, even to the very end.”
The way that Jesus began the biggest life-changing and hope-giving movement in human history was by calling, developing, and sending out a handful of unqualified, unimpressive, and unlikely disciples. These disciples made disciples who made disciples. And this is still our Great Commission today—to go and make disciples of Jesus.
For us to make disciples we must be willing to go wherever people are who need to be discipled. Jesus told His followers, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” We certainly wouldn’t go fishing in a fishless pond. Well, maybe not on purpose. The same is true of the Gospel, we must go out and find ponds where gospel-destitute fish exist.
Jesus summons us to join God on His mission to redeem a people from every single tribe and language and people and nation. For some, this will absolutely and unequivocally mean packing up, leaving the comfort of “home” and going to serve in foreign countries where the Gospel is not so accessible—or sometimes hot water for showers!
It means fishing in the margins of our communities for the underserved, the downtrodden, and the poor. It means seeing the “neighboring” opportunities we already have in the places where we already go—by striking up a conversation with someone at work or at the gym, meeting a friend for coffee, talking to someone at a social event, or inviting someone over for dinner. It means committing ourselves to others in Bible study, spiritual formation, and intercessory prayer.
We cannot stick to ourselves or stay in our comfort zones—we must find people who need to be discipled and get involved in their lives. Christ’s mission of disciple-making requires action and movement, not passivity and immobility. So, instead of getting trapped in that Easter hangover, consider where God is calling you to be a disciple-maker. Who is He calling you to serve? Pray for open doors to share your faith and walk with others in growing their faith. Ask God for direction to fish in ponds—places—where the fish are jumping with spiritual hunger.
PRAYER
Jesus, you have commanded us to go and make disciples. You have also given us your authority and the promise of your presence always. Empower us to flesh out your mission in places where people need to be discipled. Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- “Post-event depression” can refer to a period of low mood or sadness that follows a significant event. Have you ever experienced this?
- The disciples experienced the opposite of a spiritual hangover after the resurrection. What do you think they were feeling? How would you describe their readiness to follow Jesus’ mission? What gave them confidence?
- Jesus directed His disciples to a “post-event” mountain after the resurrection, where He gave them instructions about His Great Commission. Do you have a quiet place where you can go to hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking into your life?
- In your journal, write down some action words or phrases describing how someone has been a part of your discipleship growth. What are some actions you can take to be a part of someone else’s discipleship?
- What does practical obedience to the Great Commission look like in your life’s rhythms this week?