Great Commission

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you.” That’s a famous phrase you’ve probably heard, spoken by Jesus and recorded at the end of Matthew. Did you know the concept is present at the very beginning of the Bible? Gen. 1 tells us that we were created in the image and likeness of God. In the ancient near east, to be created in image and likeness was the same as being created as little statues that God would place around the globe as symbols of his dominion. And when man was created, he was given two primary tasks: To rule over God’s creation, and to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. So when God tells us to be fruitful and multiply, it’s a lot like the end of Matthew. As I like to jokingly tell my students, there’s nothing new in the New Testament!