“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)

The wrapping paper’s gone and the gifts have all been opened, but the mission of Christmas has only begun. The same King who came in humility now reigns in majesty, and He has entrusted His people with a purpose: to carry His good news into every corner of the earth.

This is the great hope of Christmas: The King who came once in humility will come again on the clouds with fire. But as we saw yesterday, in the meantime we live in the now and the not yet, in the moment between His first and second coming. I say moment even though it’s been 2,000 years since He ascended to heaven for two reasons: 1) “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8 NIV), and 2) “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2 NIV). His return is always imminent because it can happen at any moment. Why hasn’t it happened yet? Because “the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:9–10 NIV).

So, until that moment, we’ve been given a mission we call the Great Commission. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Our mission is simple and sacred: tell the world that the King has come, that He died to pay the price for their sins, that He was raised to life so we could have eternal life, and He’s coming again. We’re heaven’s ambassadors, carrying the message of reconciliation to a world starving for grace. 

Too often, though, we treat the Great Commission like the Great Suggestion. Surveys reveal that more than half of Christians haven’t shared their faith in months. We talk passionately about politics, sports, and shows, but stay silent about the Savior. Yet if we really believe the King’s return could happen at any moment, silence isn’t an option. Love compels us to speak; grace moves us to go.

Romans 10:14 asks the piercing question: “How can they believe in Him if they have never heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” That’s you and me. God could write the gospel in the sky, but instead He writes it on our lives. He desires to make our feet the “beautiful feet” which carries the good news to neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and nations so we could share in the joy of heaven when even one sinner repents!

Like Isaiah, we hear God’s heart still asking, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” The right response hasn’t changed: “Here am I, Lord. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV). The moment Isaiah encountered God’s holiness, his fear turned into faith and his hesitation into surrender. When we grasp who Jesus is and what He’s done, we’ll say the same thing.

Being “sent” doesn’t always mean crossing an ocean; it might mean crossing the street. It’s a conversation with the barista you see every morning, the classmate who’s searching for purpose, the relative who’s wandered far from faith. 

Wherever God has placed you, that’s your mission field. You are His representative there . . . His voice, His hands, His heart. And the beauty of this command is that we don’t go in our own strength, because God promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

So, as you step out of the Christmas season and into a new year, don’t let the joy of the gospel stay inside you. The King has come, the King is coming again . . . and until that day, the King has sent you.

Put It to Practice

Ask God to show you one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. Pray for open doors, gentle words, and bold faith. Remember, sharing the gospel isn’t about perfection; it’s about participation in God’s redemptive plan.

For the Family

Today’s Main Idea: Jesus sends us to share His love with the world.

Ask Together: 

1. Who can we tell about Jesus this week? 
2. How can we show His love through our actions?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the King who came and the King who will come again. Thank You for trusting us with Your mission. Fill us with Your Spirit, open our eyes to the lost around us, and give us courage to speak Your truth with love. Let our lives echo the cry of heaven: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.” Here we are, Lord . . . send us. In Your name we go and in Your name we pray, Jesus. Amen.