The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20
Today marks the 165th sermon in our exposition of the Gospel of Matthew. We began our journey through this marvelous Gospel on Mother’s Day 2022. And what a journey it has been! From the beginning, Matthew has set out to declare that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the long promised and prophesied Messiah-King. Matthew is truly the gospel of the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God.
In Matthew 1, we saw Jesus’ royal pedigree as “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). He was born to be the King, descended from David, yet the very Son of God, Immanuel, through His virgin birth. In Matthew 2-4, we saw His royal preparation. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), Jesus taught His royal precepts. In Matthew 8-12, we saw Jesus’ royal power and authority in His miracles and conflicts with the Jewish authorities. In Matthew 13, Jesus taught us the parables of the kingdom. In Matthew 14-20, we saw more miracles of Jesus, and confessed with Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who will build His church (Matt. 16). We saw Him transfigured in glory on the mountain (Matt. 17). And He continued His kingdom ministry, teaching and healing, even as He made His way to Jerusalem to be crucified.
In Matthew 21-25 we saw Jesus ride into Jerusalem while the people proclaimed Him King and Messiah. We saw Him cleanse the temple and teach the people during that last week, refuting all challenges to His authority. We saw as the Jewish authorities rejected as King, and plotted to kill Him. In Matthew 26-27 we saw Jesus arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, and crucified as the King of the Jews. Then, finally we witnessed the Lord Jesus Christ risen from the dead on the third day just as He promised (Matt. 28).
Now, in the last five verses of Matthew, we see King Jesus giving His final command to His kingdom citizens.