BIBLE VERSE: 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19 (KJV).

REFLECTIONS:

At this point of our lives we must be very conversant with the word Mandate. If for nothing else it has been a popular word buzzing for the past year or so, you get the picture right? According to the dictionary meaning a mandate is an official order or commission to do something; it is an authority given by an electorate to act in a certain way. However, not all mandates issued are given equal capacity or are of serious importance. Some mandates carry weighty implications, while others are not as strong or effective. The effectiveness or force of the mandate will depend on the measure of the power wielded by the governing body who made the pronouncement or decree in the first place.

Now there was a mandate that was decreed, commanded or pronounced more than two thousand years ago at the foot of the mount of Olives near Jerusalem in Judea Israel and this mandate has been known as the mandate of all times, the ultimate mandate called the ‘Great Commission.’ This mandate was issued by JESUS to HIS disciples. This is the fact and truth our Bible verse brings our way today. Now the question is, why is it called the ultimate mandate? Why was it so important then and after these many centuries it’s effectiveness is still as strong today as at the time it was issued. The following are a few reasons we carry away from our Bible verse why this is so.

The greatest event in the history of mankind had just happened. This event shook our world at the time it happened and is still shaking our world now. In fact our world has not ever since been able to shake off the effects of this event. This was the crucifixion of JESUS CHRIST on the cross and now HIS resurrection from the dead at the time HE was talking giving this command to HIS disciples.

As a result of this event HIS disciples did not need to be told the extent of the authority and power that was evidently demonstrated before their eyes.
JESUS was standing before them as the resurrected LORD and the KING of GLORY, and from historical facts it is only Kings who have the authority to make weighty and powerful decrees that must be carried out to the letter.

Not long after JESUS’S pronouncement of this decree another and a much greater event took place, JESUS’S ascending up to Heaven in the full glare of HIS disciples and followers.
So with all these mind blowing supernatural events taking place nobody in his or her right senses would ignore carrying out such a decree. The disciple thus went out in the power of their King, without brandishing any weapons of war went into all the world, making disciples for their King, teaching peoples of every nation about the kingdom of their Powerful King, revealing the mysteries of this kingdom represented in the ALMIGHTY SOVEREIGNTY of the one true GOD expressed in three fundamental roles and responsibilities as they baptized every convert in the name of the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT. This Mandate still stands for us in our present world, its efficacy and power has never diminished, it says we must go ye, not stay ye, nor does it say flee ye. Let us therefore, make it our ultimate priority – – we who are called the disciples of our King JESUS go out and obey the Ultimate Mandate.

The sooner we understand the power behind the decree of the Great Commission the better for us and our world.

Ebimobo W. Obasi.

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Desire to Grow into a Worthy Disciple.

FATHER GOD , I desire to be Your disciple. Help me to always obey Your Ultimate Mandate. Please teach me how to live a life that reflects who You are. As I grow in my faith, provide a community where we can teach and support one another to live out Christ’s model for living well. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.