Imagine this: You’re standing on a hillside in Galilee, the sun rising behind you, casting a golden glow over the land. You’re surrounded by friends, all of you still reeling from the past few weeks—Jesus, the man you followed, was crucified. Then, three days later, He walked out of the grave. Now, He stands before you, His voice steady, His words piercing your heart.
And then He gives the command that will change history forever:
“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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
This moment is what we call the Great Commission—Jesus’ final instructions before ascending to heaven. It wasn’t a polite suggestion. It wasn’t reserved for a select few. It was a mission for every believer, for every generation. That includes you.
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is God’s call for His people to share the gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ—with every tribe, tongue, and nation. It is the heartbeat of Christianity, the reason the church exists. From the first disciples to the believers today, this mission has never changed.
Jesus didn’t say, “Go if you feel like it.” He didn’t say, “Wait until you have a theology degree.” He said, GO. Why? Because people are lost without Him. Because the world is drowning in darkness. Because there is no greater love than to bring hope to the hopeless, freedom to the captive, and salvation to the sinner.
The First to Say Yes
The disciples didn’t hesitate. They took Jesus’ words seriously, and the book of Acts tells their story. These ordinary men—fishermen, tax collectors, doubters—were transformed by the Holy Spirit and set the world on fire.
- Peter, who once denied Jesus out of fear, stood before thousands in Jerusalem and preached the gospel with boldness. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) That day, 3,000 people were saved.
- Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became the greatest missionary in history. He endured beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment, but never stopped proclaiming Jesus. “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:23)
- Stephen, the first martyr, preached Christ until his last breath. As he was being stoned to death, he saw heaven open and Jesus standing to welcome him home. (Acts 7:55-56)
The early church took the Great Commission seriously, and the gospel spread like wildfire. The world was turned upside down because a handful of believers said, “Here I am, send me.”
The Great Commission Today
Fast forward 2,000 years, and the mission remains the same. The world still needs Jesus. Right now, there are billions of people who have never heard His name. Entire nations are in spiritual darkness. The hungry, the orphaned, the trafficked, the persecuted—they are waiting for the light of Christ to reach them.
But who will go?
History is filled with heroes who answered the call:
- William Carey, the father of modern missions, left everything to bring the gospel to India.
- Lottie Moon, a single woman, spent 40 years in China, sharing Jesus with those who had never heard.
- Jim Elliot gave his life to reach an unreached tribe in Ecuador, declaring, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
- Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse rush into disaster zones, bringing relief and the hope of Christ to those in crisis.
- Hasten Nations, our own mission, is rescuing at-risk children, serving the suffering, and preaching the gospel to the nations.
This is not just their mission. This is your mission.
What’s Stopping You?
Maybe you’re thinking:
- “I’m not qualified.” Neither were the disciples.
- “I don’t know enough.” God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called.
- “I’m afraid.” Jesus promised, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)
- “I have other plans.” What if God’s plans are better?
Saying yes to the Great Commission isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being willing. It’s about stepping out in faith, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it costs you everything.
How You Can Get Involved
- Pray. Start by asking God where He wants you to go. Pray for the lost, for missionaries, and for the unreached.
- Go. Whether it’s across the street or across the world, be willing to go where God sends you. Serve, preach, love.
- Give. Not everyone can go, but everyone can give. Support missions financially. Help send those who are willing to go.
- Tell. Share the gospel boldly. Social media, conversations, street evangelism—every platform is an opportunity.
- Join Us. Hasten Nations is on the frontlines, serving the suffering and preaching the gospel. We need people like you to join the mission.
The Invitation
The Great Commission is not a burden—it’s an invitation. An invitation to see God move. An invitation to change lives. An invitation to step into the story of the church, a story written in the blood of the martyrs and the faith of the saints.
Jesus is calling.
Will you say yes?
