Thursday, January 28, 2010

Shalom,

I want to look at the last verses of Matthew 28 today. Jesus had risen from the dead. The women and then His disciples had seen Him. At this point the disciples had fallen down to worship Jesus. He said this:

18Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

I love the Amplified Bible! Where other versions say "power", the Amplified bible says "power of rule". That's exactly the kind of power that Jesus is talking about! The word is the Greek word, "exousia", which means: privelage, authority, jurisdiction, power, right and strength! The right to rule in Heaven and on earth had been given unto Him! The He said this:

19Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Because all power was given (bestowed upon) Jesus, and we are IN HIM, and He is IN US, we now have His endued "power" to do His will! We are to make disciples of all races of people, baptizing them (to immerse or submerge) "in", the Greek word eis, which means: to or into. We are to "baptize" them into the NAME. That is not referring to water baptism, although water baptism is a great outward sign of our inward transformation. That is referring to the New Birth! Being immersed in HIM! In the Name! Then He goes on to say:

20Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

He said we are to teach the Word, remembering that He is "with" us always. That word "with" is the Greek word meta, which means: amid, in the midst of, union. HE is living IN us now and forever! We are NEVER alone! Let's be about our Father's business KNOWING that all the power we need lives IN us! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!