16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Jesus wanted His disciples to meet Him in Galilee. It was mentioned three times. Jesus told them at the last supper. An angel told the women when they looked for Him in the tomb. And Jesus told the women this as they were running to find the disciples. There are two things in this Gospel that were important enough to mention three times: that He would die and be raised on the third day, and to meet Him in Galilee after His resurrection. This commission that Jesus is giving to all His disciples is one of the most important things He was passing on to them and on to us.
The disappointing thing is that even though all eleven came and worshiped Him when they saw Him, some doubted. Were they trying to hide their doubt as they worshiped Him? It seems that there are always doubters regardless how much evidence is provided. Why are we so stubborn and skeptical in our beliefs?
But the good news is that Jesus welcomes all, even doubters. He knew the hearts of the disciples in front of Him. He did not single out the ones who doubted. He commissioned them all. He would be there with them. He would help them through their doubts.
Jesus had been given all authority over everything in heaven and on earth. Whatever He commands, will be. By His authority, He was commanding them to go out and make disciples of all nations, not just certain chosen nations. What does it mean for them to make disciples of others? That they would be given the same authority and responsibility He was giving to them that day.
He was giving them the authority to baptize everyone in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He was giving them the responsibility to teach everyone all that Jesus commanded them. And He was giving them the reassurance that He would be with them always, in everything that they did.
I feel that the emphasis of this Book of Matthew is so much on Jesus the teacher. Jesus taught many lessons and gave many commands throughout this book. But His lessons and commands do not end with just teaching us what we need to know for our own salvation, but with a command that we are all to become disciples, all to become teachers, to teach others what He has commanded us, and to bring others into the discipleship, to help spread the news. Is this a big task and responsibility? Yes, but Jesus is there with us, through everything, through the end of time.
As Matthew says, “Amen”, “it is so”. We should not doubt.