Follow the Leader

KEY VERSE: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [age]. Amen.” —Matthew 28:19,20

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20

IT IS NO coincidence that the first ones to witness the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead were not his closest apostles. Their desertion of the Master in his hour of trial having taken place just a few days earlier, a lesson of humility was in order. So it was overruled that certain women were the first to recognize Jesus’ resurrection. “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”—Matt. 28:1-6

The angel realized that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary might fear that someone had vandalized the tomb and taken away Jesus’ body. The angel was quick to tell them that he was not there—he was risen from the dead. He further instructed them, “Go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”—vs. 7

With great excitement the women ran to give the news to the disciples. (vs. 8) As they hurried, the resurrected Jesus, appearing in a human form they could look upon, “met them, saying, All hail.” (vs. 9) So taken aback were they with his physical presence—he was a spirit being taking on a fleshly body—that they began to worship him. He, however, repeated the instruction the angel had previously given.—vs. 10

The apostles heeded the risen Lord’s words, and went to Galilee “into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.” (vs. 16) Here Jesus spoke to them as he never had before, saying: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [age]. Amen.” (Matt.28:18-20) Jesus first asserted the fact that his power and authority now went far beyond anything he exhibited as a man. He is now a glorified, divine, spirit being, though appearing to them in a body of flesh. He had received power from his Father necessary to bring to fruition all his plans and purposes relative to both heaven and earth.

Next, Jesus commissioned his disciples to begin the work of spreading the Gospel message. His instructions to ‘teach all nations’ showed that this was to be a work lasting longer even than their lifetimes. It would continue until his promised kingdom would be set up at his Second Advent. This Gospel call was to gather out footstep followers who would be totally immersed into the will of the Father and the Son, and whose lives would be governed by the influence of the Holy Spirit. He further instructed the disciples that they would have a special responsibility: that of teaching those who would receive the Gospel message.

Nearly 2,000 years later, the invitation to “follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth” (Rev. 14:4), still goes forth (vs. 20) to those who have receptive hearts, and those specially used to teach this message continue to fulfill the commission given by the risen Lord. Jesus’ final words to his disciples contain the promise of his presence with them, and hence with us, until the complete work of calling and selecting his footstep followers is accomplished. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to them. And Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, continues to guide his followers of today.

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