Saying sorry may be the way you get out of trouble with the girlfriend or boyfriend or spouse on a regular basis. Sooner or later that doesn’t work. They get sick of the nonsense and tell you off or say I’m out of here. People have limits and their love is conditional.
Imagine if Jesus had done that! He was mocked publicly. At that point most of us would’ve told our significant other don’t you do that to me again or I’m out of here.
He was given 40 whips for the cat-o’-nine-tails. After one time of being hit most of us are gone.
Jesus took 40. At any point He could have stepped back and said “Enough! These ungrateful people don’t deserve this.” And He’d be right.
He didn’t stop there. After being beaten, He “STILL” loved us unconditionally and picked up His cross. He wanted to do whatever it took to save us.
After His brutal execution, He was raised up from the dead three days later. Every word He spoke after that event was recorded in history. We had better pay attention to!
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inbthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Every verse here is important. In verse 18 the risen resurrected lord of the universe declares He has all authority. No other religion founder has ever made that claim because they weren’t God.
In verse 19 GO is imperative. It doesn’t mean invite people to church. It means you go to them.
In verse 20 we are told that He expects obedience. We can’t sin up a storm and go say sorry. He will forgive us but he expects repentance. Don’t think that you can be a lukewarm Christian and dabble in New Age, extramarital sex or gossip and remain in a right relationship with God.
Lastly the word “behold” introduced something extraordinary. Jesus is with us. His Holy Spirit guides us, teaches us and comforts us.
What is your response? Are you going to continue your halfhearted commitment to him? That doesn’t work either, you’re either in or you’re not. So, what’s your decision?
Following Jesus 