Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus calls His disciples to be the light of the world, urging them to let their good works shine before others so that they may glorify God. This calling is not just about personal transformation—it’s about actively bringing God's light into the world. But how are we to fulfill this mission? The answer comes in Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus gives His followers the Great Commission, empowering them to carry out this purpose.
In these final verses of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus declares, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (v. 18). With this divine authority, He sends His disciples out into the world with a clear mandate: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations" (v. 19). The same light that is meant to shine through the lives of Christians is now to be shared with others, spreading from person to person, culture to culture, across all nations. This is not just a command; it’s a promise that God’s light will continue to shine through His followers, even to the ends of the earth.
The connection between Matthew 5:13-16 and 28:18-20 is clear: the call to be the light of the world is not passive. It’s an invitation to actively participate in God’s mission. Jesus gives His disciples (and all of us) the task of making disciples and teaching them to observe everything He has commanded. This call to "go and make disciples" is the natural outflow of living as the light of the world—it is how we fulfill our purpose.
Moreover, Jesus reassures His followers with the promise, "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (v. 20). This is not a mission given without support; it is one in which Christ Himself walks with us, guiding us as we go out into the world, making His light visible to others.
In a world that desperately needs hope and truth, Christians are called to reflect Christ’s light through their actions, words, and lives. The Great Commission is a call to share this light with the world, to invite others into the transformative love of God, and to teach them to live according to His ways.
Lord Jesus, You have called us to be the light of the world and to make disciples of all nations. Strengthen us with Your presence and empower us to live out Your mission every day. May our lives shine with Your love and truth, drawing others to You. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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