The Great Commission: Talking and Walking Forgiveness

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.44-47]

The Great Commission is Jesus' instruction for His followers.

In Matthew's Gospel, it is recorded as follows:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28.18-20]

While Matthew and Mark are just a bit more generic in their respective records of the Great Commission, Luke was more concerned in recording actually how that was to be done: in proclaiming the message ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 

John's recollection of Jesus' Great Commission was as follows:

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.19-23]

John's record is quite interesting because John was clear that our commission is no different than His own commission. But John goes into depth of what Jesus' own commission was by recording what Jesus said to explain it: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

So, between Luke's record and John's record, we get a clear picture of what actual message we are to convey: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent," (the talk) and, "If you [WE] forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven" (the walk).

Forget about all the so-called evangelism methods the Church has wasted so much time, money, and energy on! Our message is simple: "There is forgiveness of sins in Jesus and I am authorized to give that forgiveness myself!"

What? Yes, it is true - what I have said is straight from the Bible.

Church, it is time we give the message of forgiveness to the world, not only on the authority of Jesus example but by our own example as well. We are to talk the talk and walk the walk.

Father, help us to be effective in "talking" and "walking" forgiveness.