Indeed, this is a Great Commission! The main verb of command in the original language is not “go” but “make disciples.” Fulfilling the Great Commission requires the making of disciples, not mere deciders. It means baptizing those who believe and teaching them to obey all Christ commanded. Obedience is the goal of the Great Commission. Only doers of His word are true disciples (Matt. 7:21; John 8:31).
There is another way in which this is a Great Commission. Initially Jesus told His disciples to go only to “the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt. 10:6), but now He commands them to go to all nations (ethnic groups). With true disciples in only about half of the twenty-four thousand “nations,” much remains to be done in fulfilling this Great Commission.
Does this sound like “mission impossible”? It would be if it were not for Christ’s promise to be with those who go to make disciples in all nations. The command comes with a promise, and His presence makes it possible.
