Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”

Matthew 28:18-19

Matthew’s Gospel ends with the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Before Jesus leaves, he assembles the eleven remaining loyal apostles. All power and authority had been given to Jesus and now he passes that authority to the apostles. He then tells them to use that authority to go and make disciples. This is the clear direction he gave the Church. 

Over the centuries when the Church has stayed focused on Jesus’ words and the simple mission to make disciples it has flourished. When we have lost this clear mission, we have floundered. 

Pray today that the Church would claim these words of Jesus and be renewed by them