A Command-on-Promise Sandwich
"When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted." Matthew 28:17

In a deli you might order a ham-on-rye sandwich. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives us a command-on-promise sandwich. Look at how it’s put together.

Promise: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Command: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing … and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Promise: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Before Jesus spoke these words, some disciples still doubted His victory over death. As disciples today, we often have doubts about Christ’s difficult assignment to reach all nations and to teach them everything He taught. But Jesus assures us that this double task is do-able! That’s why He gives us a double promise.

Promise #1: Unlimited authority. The same King who calls us to be His ambassadors, has declared the extent of His reign. This promise is the fulfillment of earlier mission prophecies like these:

• "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his" (Gen. 49:10).
• "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man [the Messiah], coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-15).

Though Satan claims dominion over our planet, "Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does its successive journeys run." In Calcutta where a million people live on the sidewalks, Christ has all authority. In the Sahara and surrounding countries where so many follow Muhammad, Christ still has all authority. In Western workplaces where Christ is merely a swear word, He has all authority. And so serving under His authority, we can dare to take action in His name.

Promise #2: Continuing presence. We treat "I am with you always" primarily as a proof text that Jesus is present everywhere, and is therefore divine. While this is certainly true, Jesus didn’t declare, "I am with you always," merely to prove His deity. Rather, He spoke this promise for:

• a single missionary in Saudi Arabia who wonders if she will ever marry. To her Christ whispers, "I am with you always."
• a Chinese believer in prison for declaring the name of Christ. Though chains may bind him, his spirit is free to commune with Christ who is with him always.
• you yourself, in your mission setting. Knowing we would question the Great Commission, our wise Savior sandwiched His global task in promises that still apply "to the very end of the age" (28:20)

1. Think of one place where you are afraid to serve as Christ’s witness. Spend a few minutes in prayer and meditation, remembering that, even though Satan lays claim to it, Christ has authority there.
2. Because Christ is with you always, He will make you an effective witness to Himself. Take a minute to identify someone in need of Christ and to ask the Lord to enable you to share your faith with him or her.

• Invite to lunch a Christian friend who has misgivings about witnessing or missions. Prepare him or her a delicious sandwich. Then encourage your friend with the "sandwich" ideas and mission promises you have read in this column (both this week and last week).