fruitfulness

Our passage today is the last passage from the last chapter of the gospel by Matthew.  This passage is usually called “The Great Commission”, when Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   

This passage from Matthew is very similar to the last passage of the last chapter of Mark’s gospel.  And in Mark’s version, he adds a little detail saying that after Jesus gave these instructions, He was lifted up into heaven.  While that ascension of Jesus is indeed a marvelous spectacle (and how we wish we were there to witness it), we want to relish these words of Jesus because they were the LAST words He ever spoke in person, and I encourage you to continue to reflect on these words in the coming days so that you will appreciate how much importance Jesus wanted to place in these words that He left for His disciples, and for you and me and all mankind.