May 22

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…”

—MATTHEW 28:18-19

“I can’t.” That was my excuse when I first became a Christian. I was basically shy, and introverted. Though I sensed God may be calling me to preach, I could never do anything in public. I was exempt from the debating class in school because I couldn’t stand up in front of people and articulate an argument publicly. The reason? I convinced myself that “I can’t”.

I’m not alone. God has heard this excuse countless times, including from many of the Bible’s leading characters; Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah and Peter to name a few. Most of us can probably identify with this. We may feel God pulling us in a certain direction and all our instincts say, “I can’t.”

Jesus anticipated this response when He sent out His disciples with the words, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” The word ‘therefore’ is there for a reason. The passage only makes sense if we relate what comes after ‘therefore’ to what came before it. Jesus made the statement: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This statement is about Himself and His ability and authority. Understand that, and the rest becomes a logical outworking. Because Christ is in authority, it is under His authority and power He sent His disciples into the world.

As Christians, we need to learn the same thing. It doesn’t matter how inept we believe ourselves to be. Jesus isn’t looking for the strong and self-assured. He is looking for those who seek His agenda and make themselves available to Him. It is under His authority we are called and under His authority we operate.

After giving His commission to the disciples, Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We are not sent out on our own, but together with Jesus. Whatever fears or doubts may be holding us back, we need to change our thinking from “I can’t” to “Jesus can”, and be encouraged by His words, “For where I am, there shall my servant be also” (John 12:26). The task is ours, but the enabling is His.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am encouraged and motivated by the fact You are with me in whatever You call me to do. Help me to always depend on your enabling and to rest in your sufficiency. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Have feelings of inadequacy kept me from something I sense God is calling me to do? If so, how do I change that?