Through the Bible - Leviticus 19-20, Mark 1
Good morning,
The read through the Bible plan, above, today moves into the book of Mark. Before going there we'll take a look at another familiar verse from Matthew 28 that points us to some important things to consider, some of which will help us in our understanding of the book of Mark.
In this passage we have what has become known as the great commision. One of the requirements of a commission is the authority of the one doing the sending.
John Piper gives us the context of the commission, he writes, "Before telling us to do anything for him in v. 19, he tells us what he can do for us in v. 18. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." "Authority" means the right and power to do something. So Jesus means that he has absolute right and all power to do as he pleases in heaven and on earth. There is no authority in heaven which can call the will of Jesus into question, and there is no authority on earth that can call the will of Jesus into question. And no power on earth or in heaven can frustrate his will when he exerts all his power to achieve it. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
As Sovereign over the universe, Jesus has more authority than any earthly powers, mre than President Obama, more than the other military powers and organizations of the world, more than the CEO's and the leaders on Wall Street, and as we see in His miracles, authority over all of the natural elements "even the winds and waves obey Him." Therefore, at some point "every knee will bow before Him.
In light of that read today's verse.
Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, NKJV
You will notice something else in these verses. The Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all mentioned together.
One of the students in our High School Sunday School class, when asked of what are some of the difficult things to understand in the Bible, brought up the Trinity. While not explaining it here, John Piper points out the significance in this passage.
"When it says in verse 19 that we are to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I think the point is that every member of the Trinity is active in the conversion which baptism signifies. When a person becomes a disciple of Jesus, he relates in a new way to the entire Godhead. The Father becomes our heavenly Father, the Son our Lord, the Spirit our indwelling enabler. And in the act of baptism we submit ourselves to all three, and we pledge allegiance to all three."
Read the passage below today. Take some time to consider the significance of the authority of Jesus, and of the importance of the Trinity. What do they mean to you?
For a good teaching on the Trinity you may check out what R.C. Sproul has to say about it at:
As you consider the Trinity perhaps you will recall the old hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy", "God in three persons, blessed Trinity".
In Christ,
Mike
Matt 28:16-20
The Great Commission
(Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8)
(Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8)
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV
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