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
(from Matthew 28:16-20. Also Read Daniel 7:13-14)
Imagine you are a star player on the Celtics.
You are sitting in the locker room with your foot soaking in ice to reduce your swollen ankle injury.
Not only did your injury keep you from playing your best because of the constant pain, but your team lost by an embarrassing 19 points.
Your season is over with little left but everyone's opinion.
A good pep talk for you and your team would restore hope and help healing.
This is pretty much the situation of the disciples.
Judas' treason created confusion among them.
Previously, Jesus told them to meet him on the mountain top outside Galilee.
So, with hope, they went to the mountain and met Jesus.
The pep talk began as the disciples are reminded God gave Jesus "all authority" and they are to use Jesus' authority to heal, forgive, and make disciples by baptizing and teaching.
This is a reminder of their summoning to seek a lifestyle based on love and justice by being a doer of God's Word as spoken by Jesus.
The vision is encouraging these early followers of Jesus, to imagine a mission reaching everybody regardless of ethnic or cultural differences.
The disciples' mission becomes envisioning a world free of racial, economic and gender prejudice and work toward it.
I can't predict if the Celtics will win the championship next year, but I am certain the team will work towards that goal.
I am certain, however, that Jesus' followers will work towards a world free of human restrictions and towards God's all-accepting love.
It seems to me, also, that on Sunday our gathering for worship is a reminder of our summoning to live the inclusive life with which Jesus empowered us.
Think about it: In what ways do you think you need to grow in your discipleship?
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