MATTHEW 28:18–20
18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus’ ministry. When He began His earthly ministry, He preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). As of that moment, Satan had authority over the earth (Matthew 4:9; Luke 4:5–6). Jesus was declaring that the coming of the kingdom of heaven, the awaited time of God’s rule and reign over the earth, was near. Later, on the cross, Jesus disarmed the demonic rulers and authorities and was victorious over them (Colossians 2:15). Right before His ascension and enthronement in heaven, as King and Ruler, Jesus commissioned His disciples to continue to advance His kingdom. In today’s lesson, we will glean some thoughts on the kingdom of God from Jesus’ Great Commission.