Bible Passage: Matthew 28:16-20
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: May 31, 2026

Bulletin – May 31, 2026

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

There is something quite significant about Jesus’ instructions in our text this morning.  His command to disciple all nations is entirely a new thing!  If we look at the prophets of old, we notice something they all have in common.  They were sent to just one nation, Israel.  Not to “all nations.”  For example, when Isaiah was called the LORD said to him, Go and tell this people [the people of Israel]. (Isaiah 6:9)  Of when the LORD called Jeremiah, he said, Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem…(Jeremiah 2:2)  Ezekiel was told, Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites…(Ezekiel 2:3)  The Lord Jesus even said of his own ministry, I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)

But with today’s text, everything changes!  The Kingdom of God is about to go global!  The mission of the Church becomes worldwide in scope.  The Church is to be a multi-national, multi-cultural corporation!  And by calling the Church a “corporation” I am not trying to be “cute.”  The word “corporation” means a “body.”  And the Church is the body of Christ.  In our text today, the Lord says, Now…to All Nations!

Just what is the “now?”  Our text takes place when some disciples worshipped him, but some hesitated because they were uncertain (v. 17)  What caused some of Jesus’ followers to worship him and caused others to doubt whether this could really be Jesus?  His resurrection from the dead!  So our text takes place after Jesus rose from the dead and before his ascension into heaven.  It comes at a time when…”Love’s redeeming work is done!  Fought the fight, the battle won!  Lo, our Sun’s eclipse is o’er!  Lo, he sets in blood no more!” (CW 149:2)  NOW, with Jesus’ death and resurrection in our pocket, we are to run with it to all the world!

But before Jesus gives the command to go to the nations, he says something we dare not miss.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (v. 18)  The Father has given the risen Jesus all authority.  He has the right to do anything he wants in the entire cosmos.  If I am driving down the street and a guy in a rusty minivan pulls up behind me and waves his arm out the window that I should pull over, I’m not pulling over.  If a Ford Explorer with flashing lights pulls up close behind me, I am pulling over.  Why the difference?  Because the one with the flashing lights has “authority.”  They have the right to pull me over.  What makes us think we have the right just to go anywhere in this world and start telling people about Jesus? The one with ALL the authority told us to!  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, [YOU] go and gather disciples from nations. (v. 19)

There is something “rabbinnic” in this Commission Jesus gives to the Church.  Remember, at the time of Jesus, Old Testament Judaism had largely become “rabinnic.”  Rabbis did the teaching.  And rabbis always taught by appealing to a higher rabbinic authority.  Rabbinic teaching sounded like this.  “Rabbi Hillel has interpreted this passage to mean…”  Or “Rabbi Shammi has said this…”  These rabbis gathered around them “disciples.”  Disciples were learners.  Now Jesus, the ultimate “rabbi,” the ultimate Teacher, the one who cannot appeal to a higher authority – because he has it all! – sends us out into the world as his authorized, deputized “under-rabbis.”  Gather disciples from all nations. (v. 19)

So we’ve got the authority to go and we’ve got the command to go, what tools are at our disposal to do this work?  Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (v. 19)  We gather disciples by baptizing people!  The Trinitarian bath!  The application of water – poured, sprinkled, submersion, whatever – in the name of the Triune God.  It seems so peaceful.  Water trickles on a baby’s head.  But the metaphysical reality is dramatic! There is crucifixion, burial, and Easter all wrapped up in that moment!  Paul wrote to the Romans, We were therefore buried with [Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead in the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4)  The baptized person dies.  The baptized person rises to new life.  Life as a child of the Triune God.

I once heard a pastor tell the story of his own adoption.  He related how one of the most exciting things about being adopted was finding out what your new family name would be!  “What is my family name?”  In baptism, you hear your new family name.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  The Triune God has adopted you!  And God does international adoptions!  He takes people of all nations, washes them, forgives them, and brings them into his family through the death and resurrection of Jesus in Holy Baptism!

And we are to teach all nations to obey everything I have commanded you. (v. 20) We are to give the nations EVERYTHING Jesus has taught!  Not half, not three-quarters.  Not just a “feel good” message.  But everything.  Everything our Jesus has taught about sin and repentance and faith and forgiveness and fitting conduct in the family of the Triune.  Everything.

Where shall we go to find people to baptize and teach?  China?  Yup!  Africa?  Yup!  America?  Yup!  Deforest?  Yup!  Pick and Save and the Post Office?  Yup!  Youth baseball games?  Yup!  Across your back yard?  Yup!  Wherever you go you will find – wait for it – PEOPLE!  And there is not a person you meet who falls outside of our commission to baptize and teach!

It’s a big job before us!  That is why Jesus gives us one more comforting promise.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (v. 20)  We do not do this work alone!  Until the end of the age, that is, until his return on Judgment Day, the risen Jesus is with us!  He is with you as you try to muster the courage to talk to your neighbor about Jesus.  He is with you as you look for words to invite your restless and searching friend to church.  Without Jesus, we cannot do any of it!  With Jesus, we cannot fail!  So, now…to all nations!

Amen.