In our fervor for obeying Christ, it can be tempting to launch directly into the imperative portion of the Great Commission (disciple the nations), rather than notice the important indicative statements Christ made before and after. At the outset, in verse 18, He asserts the reason why we must make disciples, namely, because “All authority has been given to [Him] in heaven and on earth.” (Matt. 28:18, ESV) We make disciples, because He is worthy of the worship of all people, and because there is no greater gift we can give to the nations than Christ Himself. Coupled with the purpose of making disciples is also the provision God has made for us to do so.

While the imperative to make disciple springs from the power and authority of Christ, that same power and authority, coupled with His presence, serves as the means of provision for His church to carry out that calling. 

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20b)

Every time that God calls His people do something in Scripture, He is actually calling them to take part in the work that He Himself is doing. We are not the lead actors in the great story that is redemptive history. Instead, we are much more like extras in the background, called to faithfully fulfill the small piece that we have been given, trusting that the master playwright is weaving us all into a much grander story of which He alone is the star. 

It’s important to note here that the tasks that God has called us to are not difficult, but rather impossible for us to fulfill on our own. When Jesus’ disciples were puzzled at the difficulty of a wealthy person entering the Kingdom, His response was “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26b). The salvation of a single soul is not difficult for us; it is impossible. Likewise, the task that Christ has given to the Church, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (28:19) is not a difficult task, but an impossible one.

When I consider the task that lies before me, as a young American missionary in Tokyo, I find myself helplessly overwhelmed. Not only are we one small family in a city of over 15 million people, but Japan is considered to be the “missionary graveyard of Asia” with so many having left the field discouraged at the lack of fruit. The Japanese language is very difficult to learn, the culture provides significant challenges to sharing the Gospel, and the church in Japan is not only less than 1% of the population but is actually shrinking in size. How can we hope to make a difference here?

Before launching into all of the strategies, methods, and plans for bringing the Gospel to the people of Japan, or any other nation for that matter, we need to pause and remind ourselves that no human being has ever brought about spiritual regeneration in themselves or anyone else. This is the work of God, by His Spirit working in and through us, the Church, as His chosen instruments. 

In his book on missions, Andy Johnson states:

“God has decided how the mission should go forward. He intends it to go forward by the simple declaration of the gospel and the gathering of his children into churches so that everyone will see that salvation is God’s work, and He will get all the glory” (Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global).

As we remember that the purpose of missions is not missions itself, but rather the glorification of God amongst the peoples of the world, then we are reminded that God has wisely chosen to use the means that will best make His glory seen amongst the peoples. Behind all of the work of missions throughout the centuries, God is the one that has been carrying the light of the Gospel to the darkest corners of the globe, by His power and authority, and through His people. 

In thinking about the way that God shows His glory through His people, I am reminded of the conquest of the fortified city of Jericho by the people of Israel under Joshua. It was the first battle that took place after the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea into the land of Canaan following the death of Moses. Perhaps the leaders of Israel had studied history, and knew the many ways that a fortified city could be assaulted and overthrown. Perhaps the spies that studied the city had these thoughts in their minds as they walked Jericho’s streets. But God’s plan was not one that made sense by human standards. No human strategist would have contrived seven days of marching around the city followed by shouting and trumpet blasts as the best means to tear down the firm walls of Jericho. 

So why did God choose this method for Israel to follow? And why did Israel follow His command? Because both God and Israel recognized the truth: God was inviting the people of Israel to take part in His overthrow of the city of Jericho. The point was never the defeat of Jericho. The defeat of Jericho was the means of making God’s glory seen amongst the nations. The method by which that was accomplished, was designed by God to make it clear that He was the conqueror, not Israel. And this was the plan from the very beginning when God told Abraham that He would bless Abraham and his descendants so that all nations could be blessed through them. God’s work amongst His people has always been crafted in such a way as to make His glory seen amongst the nations.

And so, as we approach the task of making disciples of all nations, we must realize that this is work that God Himself is accomplishing in the world. It is by His “power and authority” (Matt. 28:18) that it is being carried out, and as we faithfully follow in the “good works which He has prepared beforehand for us to walk in” (Eph. 2:10), we can be assured that He is “with [us] always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). 

I would love to say that I have an incredible plan for how my life and work here in Tokyo will transform this city and nation for God’s glory. The reality is, that my wife and I plan to faithfully serve alongside the local church in making disciples of our neighbors. We plan to join in the work that God is doing here, knowing that we play a small but valuable part in the great work that He, our King, is doing in this city, in this country, in this world, and in history. Whatever part we play, however big or small, He is the one that deserves all of the glory, because He is the one that is gathering for Himself “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9) to stand before His throne and worship Him.