¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.
¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority 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 lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

• (v.17) As we shall see with resurrection appearances in Luke, Mark and John, there are typical details: doubt, reverence for Jesus and a commission.
• (v.18-20) While on earth, Jesus exercised the triple office of Priest, Prophet (or teacher) and King. Now as he prepared to leave them, he deputed that triple office to his apostles:
  • Priest: Renew the memorial of his death and forgive sins
  • Prophet: Make disciple of all the Gentiles and teach them to observe all that he has commanded.
  • King: Receive the Kingdom over which they have the powers of binding and loosing.
• (v.20) "I am with you". Jesus is Emmanuel (Mt 1:23), the divine presence with his people as they pray, celebrate, make decisions.

Jesus entrusted his apostles the mission and power to proclaim to mankind what they had heard, seen with their eyes, to carry on Jesus' teaching ministry until the end of the age.

1. How do I respond to Jesus? call to be his disciple?
2. If I ask Jesus how his call applied to me, how might he answer me?

Enter Reader's Response or View Reader's Response this week
A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community