Marching Orders
Imagine standing before the Lord on that day when you see Him face-to-face. You deeply long to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Then, before Christ speaks, you flash back on your life and wonder, “Well done? What in my life was well done enough for Jesus to commend me?” If you hear, “Well done,” precisely what did He mean?
Then, in rapid succession, memories of your walk with Christ pour in. You remember that you had a reasonably consistent quiet time. Does that count? By “Well done,” did He mean that lousy habit, the sin you committed a lot but consistently confessed? It might be your semi-regular church attendance, somewhat faithful giving, occasional volunteering, and complimenting the pastor on his sermons (whether he deserved it or not). Do these qualify? Does Jesus consider them the makings of faithful servants? You wonder, “How will I be eligible to hear ‘Well done?’”
You consider the list of biblical do’s and don’ts. But then, you realize it wasn’t about checking off a list of good habits. In fact, it had nothing to do with being a good person. It didn’t hinge on your favorite systematic theology or the number of Bible verses you memorized. It doesn’t matter that you always stood on the “right” side of political issues. You can’t find those in Christ’s mandate. It’s never even mentioned in the Ten Commandments!
It turns out that His primary assignment is familiar to you. It’s called “The Great Commission.” You mainly recall it from Missions Week at church. You’d listened to some excellent sermons on the topic. But you assumed Jesus’ words applied to those gifted in evangelism or believers who have “the call” to foreign missions.
You may have had some false assumptions about what Jesus meant when He said,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you….” (Matt. 28:19-20).
You thought He was speaking to those guys within earshot of Him on that day and not to you. Isn’t the Great Commission what the Apostles carried out in the book of Acts? That was important then, but the average modern-day Christian has more pressing things to think about. You remember many other critical Christian topics you heard and barely had time to consider.
What about God’s desire you have high self-esteem, a successful marriage, financial security, or that you find a church where you like the music? Imagine these thoughts racing through your mind, then unexpectedly, Jesus speaks.
Instead of “Well done, good and faithful servant,” He simply says, “Well?” What does He mean? Then you realize that He is questioning how seriously you took His Great Commission. The other things pale by comparison. As the Supreme Commander, He gave you your marching orders. But unfortunately, you now know that you were mainly AWOL.
Thankfully, that day we see Jesus face to face is yet to come. While we still have life and breath, there’s time to begin being all about His Great Commission. If from this point forward, you do nothing else with your Christian walk but make disciples and teach them to obey Jesus, you will have finished well.
“And you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” —Acts 1:8