The Great Commission

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Dag Heward-Mills

READ: Matthew 28:16-20

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them...

Matthew 28:19,20

Traditionally, we think of the Great Commission as an evangelistic command. Yet, when you study the instructions of our Lord very carefully, you will realize that the Great Commission is also a shepherdorial commission. It is a pastoral commission. It is a mandate for shepherds to move out and to begin to teach the Word of God.

The evangelist has an anointing to preach and to lead people to Christ. That was the first instruction Jesus gave to Peter: "...Come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). His last words added something to the first words- the teaching element.

I read about a famous evangelist who returned to one of the cities where he had held a crusade and conducted a survey of all the people who had taken decisions for Christ during his last crusade. The result of his survey was frightening. It showed that only five per cent of the converts of his last massive crusade were still Christians. The poor results led him to establish a strong follow-up ministry.

You see, the evangelists' preaching alone does not fulfil the Great Commission. There is a need for shepherds to rise up to finish His work. You must decide to develop into a shepherd so that you can help to fulfil the Great Commission.

Jesus said that we should go and teach them because they(the sheep) need shepherds. Teaching builds people. Teaching builds churches. Teaching fulfils the Great Commission.