Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

This popular passage, often referred to as the Great Commission, is the subject of many sermons, podcasts, and Bible studies. If you have been a Christian for more than a couple years, you have consumed so much content on this passage, it may not surprise and affect you as much as it once did. In revisiting this passage anew, what wisdom can you glean?

Here it is: the challenge of making disciples of all nations, tribes, and peoples is beyond human capability. Jesus concluded the Great Commission with the promise of His presence. He never promised that making disciples would be easy. He did promise to be with us to give needed power, faith, encouragement, and knowledge. Within this passage, He offers us both a challenge and a comfort. He is always with us, but we need to do the hard work of disciple-making.

And another thing: this promise has no time limit. Christ is with the disciple-maker until the end of time. Even when you feel discouraged, tired, or like making disciples is too overwhelming—Christ is with you in that. He will never leave you, and He will equip you as you seek to live out these verses. Let the words of Jesus empower you as you live out your faith!

The Gospel of Matthew begins with the angel informing Joseph of the Messiah's name–"Immanuel"–which means, "God is with us." God is with us no matter what we are facing, and He will care for us as we care for others. Matthew ends with Jesus’ promise to be with his people in all time and all places as we carry out his command to make disciples.

Let’s not deafen our ears and our hearts to this call—Jesus is with us and will lead us as we spread His name. We don’t need to fear, because our Comforter will equip us to fulfill His disciple-making calling. May this empower us all the more.

This excerpt is from the CSB Disciple's Study Bible.

Robby Gallaty is the Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN. He was radically saved out of a life of drug and alcohol addiction on November 12, 2002. In 2008, he founded Replicate Ministries to educate, equip, and empower men and women to be disciples who make disciple-makers. He is also the author of Bearing Fruit: What Happens When God's People Grow, Growing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples, Firmly Planted: How to Cultivate a Faith Rooted in Christ.

CSB Disciple's Study Bible

The CSB Disciple’s Study Bible guides an individual’s journey in following Jesus, by featuring discipleship themed study notes, as well as tools and resources that equip Christians to disciple others. The Disciple’s Study Bible will help foster engagement and practical application of God’s Word in the life of a disciple on a daily basis.