“Fatal hesitancies”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Saturday, July 30, 2022

Matthew 28:11-20 (Forward, p. 93) CEV p. 1024

Hesitancy is sometimes quite understandable and justified, especially in the face of danger or ill-defined or uncertain risks. Thus, it is quite reasonable to hesitate before sky-diving or bungy-jumping. And likewise, it is just right and proper to hesitate before entering into a new untested business venture or striking up a relationship with a total stranger.

However, there are certain times when a hesitancy is not a good course of action. For instance, the inability, the hesitancy, of the official authorities to accept the clear evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, and having to resort to lying, bribery and ‘sweet talk’ towards the Roman authorities. By so doing, by hesitating, they lost out on the greatest opportunity of all time, the chance to become part of the new Israel of God. But, then, they were afraid of what that might mean for them.

And then there were some of the disciples. We are told that even after witnessing Jesus’ being alive after the Crucifixion and spending forty days with Him afterwards, they still doubted. To be honest, I really can’t fathom just why they doubted, or what grounds they might have had for doubting. Nevertheless, I can be quite sure that their doubting impacting their faith and their willingness to follow and obey Christ in some significant way. I can’t see how it could be otherwise.

And then there is what is called The Great Commission. In it, Jesus mandates four things that His disciples are to do:

-to go

-to make disciples

-to baptize

-to teach

(And notice: there is a certain, rather logical and necessary order to these actions: to seek out people and bring them the Good News and thereby make disciples. To baptize them into the faith and then follow that up with a thorough grounding in that faith. It only makes sense).

You will notice that none of these things are described as being optional or discretionary: in other words, do these things ‘if you feel like it’ or if convenient. No, this is their mandate, and these are their marching orders. They are to go to the people of all nations, that is, the entire world. They are to make them His disciples. They are to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And they are to teach them everything that Jesus has taught them. There is nothing discretionary or optional about any of this. In fact, all of it is backed up by the highest authority possible, the authority of none other than Almighty God. Furthermore, Jesus promises to be with them, and presumably, to help them in this mighty task.

So, why is there hesitancy about doing this? Why have so many people shrunk back from this task, or outright avoided it or denied it? I suspect that it has to do with fear, with busyness at other things, and with one’s comfort level, rather than opportunities or finances. After all, when it comes to finances, rarely does this impede us when the would-be object of our spending is something that our hearts are surely fixed upon. Sadly—this is where the bottom line comes into play—this hesitancy on our parts robs others of the joy of coming to Jesus Christ, and us and the rest of the Church of the incredible privilege of welcoming and incorporating new people into God’s family. I pray, therefore, that we, all of us, might somehow overcome this hesitancy on our parts, and take the risk of faith to do as Jesus says. Amen.

Forward notes: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (verse 20b).

“The conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel is often called the Great Commission. That it is a commission, and not a command, is a key distinction. With a command, it’s all on you to figure it out, to fail or succeed, and to handle whatever may come.

“But this sending is different. Jesus is empowering the disciples in his name, promising them the authority and spiritual equipment they’ll need to accomplish their mission. It’s mission, after all, that is the heart of the matter. Mission comes from the Latin word for sent, and we are always sent with a purpose. Add the conjunction that means with (com), so to be commissioned is to be ‘sent along with.’ Jesus is commissioning the disciples by sending them with his own authority and teaching.

“In handing over his ministry into their care, Jesus promises that no matter what comes or where they go, he will be with them. And like all of God’s promises, this assurance is for us, too. As the Gospel of Matthew ends, the story of the church—our story—is just beginning.”

Moving Forward: “How are you responding to the Great Commission?”

A concluding note: I’m not sure that our author’s making of a distinction between command and commission is entirely accurate. After all, our Canadian troops at Vimy Ridge were commanded, yes, to take that ridge, but they were also given abundant and exacting training, instructions, and support—as well as what to expect and what to do if things went wrong. Yes, it is true that the one ultimately giving the orders would not be with them on the front lines—a critical difference with us and Jesus—but they would be blessed with very competent field officers and secure phone communications back to HQ. To me, what we have here with Jesus Christ is both a command—no getting around it—and a commission.