Every Christian is confirmed as a true and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. That’s what I basically shared in Church this last Sunday. 

I truly believe that if all people, who claim to be Christians, could see themselves that way, there would be a much bigger impact from the Church in society. I also look at being confirmed as true and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ based on the commission Jesus, Himself, left to us (Matthew 28: 16-20, NRSV):

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore 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 that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

I would say that there are three things we could learn from the Scripture above.

 

First, Jesus wants us to Be at the Appointed Place with Him

 

In our text, Jesus had a specific place where He wanted to meet with the disciples.

A meeting in Galilee is what the angel asks the women at the empty tomb to go and tell the disciples about, based on Matthew 28: 7. You can also find it in Mark 16: 7.

Our meeting place with Jesus can be anywhere.

Examples of place where we can meet with Jesus Christ include times such as: Sunday worship services, Wednesday activities, Youth groups, choir, Sunday school, small groups, and more.

Others could be informal and sometimes simply mean conversations we have with people on a daily basis.

Jesus, Himself, said once that true worshippers are the ones who worship in truth and in spirit.

The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father … But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him (John 4: 21, 23, ESV).

 

Second, it’s OK to have Questions

 

The disciples worship Jesus Christ together on the mountain (their meeting place). But, some of them had doubts.

Doubts can represent many things. Even, as a believer you can have doubts about God and what God is capable of doing for you.

Let me clear here.

Doubts, the Bible is talking about in this text, did not negate faith the disciples had in Jesus Christ. Doubts, in the text, meant the following:

• Uncertainties.
• Fears.
• Questions.

As a result of the above you could question God and the things that are happening to you in life.

The difference though between non-believers and believers (the disciples) when it comes to doubts (or questioning) is that a non-believer relies on their own understanding. But, a believer brings their doubts to Christ.

Just like the disciples, a believer opens up to Jesus by bringing all their doubts, uncertainties, fears, and questions to Him. That’s what it means to worship in spirit and truth. Bringing all our doubts, uncertainties, fears and questions to Jesus shows that we believe that Jesus has all authority.

And, that is what He wants the disciples to believe too. Read verse 18 (Matthew 28). When it comes to Jesus having all authority in heaven and earth, that means:

• Jesus has Power of choice.
• Jesus has Power of right.
• Jesus has Power of rule and government.

Jesus, having authority in heaven and on earth, means He empowers us to choose right. He places us on the right path. He leads and establishes us, as His followers, in any situation of life and society, even when what we believe seems counter-cultural. 

 

Third, God’s command for us is to simply Go where the People are

 

Out of Jesus’ Power He has in heaven and on earth, you are sent out to be where the people are.

In other words, you and I have been confirmed as disciples of Jesus Christ by the fact that we are called to be where the people are.

When you read about these last moments Jesus had with the disciples, but this time from Luke (in his gospel and the book of Acts), Jesus talks of God’s promise of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1: 8).

In this Scripture, according to Luke, the Holy Spirit will come into the disciples and give them God’s Power. It is out of God’s Power that they would be propelled to go where the people are.

They will go to the people, not only as true and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, but as witnesses (Acts 1: 8).

Jesus commissions the disciples (Matthew 28) to go and do what God had intended them of doing in life.

The command is as a result of what’s working in us: God’s Spirit. The Power we receive from God’s Spirit does not want us to hide from people, but we go to them as the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5: 13-16).

So, in spite of your doubts, fears and uncertainties, stay, for as long as you can, with Jesus. Let Him know of all your fears and questions. Make sure you are a true and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ everywhere you are.