Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
PART 92: THE GREAT COMMISSION
RLJ-1995
JOHN S. TORELL
DECEMBER 29, 2024
UPPER ROOM EXPERIENCES
There were a number of times, when Jesus showed Himself to His followers in the upper room. The description of these events is not in chronological order.
LUKE’S ACCOUNT
The first time we are going to examine is when Cleopas and his friend returned from Emmaus. This was a late-night event since they had returned after the evening meal with Jesus and came straight to the upper room. Luke 24:30-33
They were excited as they burst in and began to excitedly share how Jesus had appeared to them. verses 34-35
Suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst, and instead of being joyful, they were fearful and thought He was ghost. verses 36-37
Jesus asked why they were troubled. Then He showed the nail prints in His hands and feet, and let them touch Him, but they still had a difficult time believing Jesus was actually risen from the dead. To further allay their fears, He ate some food in their presence. verses 38-43
Then Jesus reiterated the words He had spoken about Himself in the Mosaic law, the prophets, the Psalms concerning what was going to occur – death and resurrection – in relation to the Messiah. verses 44-49
MARK’S ACCOUNT
Mark notes that Jesus appeared to Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus, but no one believed them when they returned to Jerusalem and reiterated what had taken place on the road to Emmaus. Mark 16:12-13
Jesus appeared to the eleven when they were eating and scolded them for their unbelief and hardness of heart for refusing to believe the account of Cleopas and his friend. verse 14
MATTHEW & JOHN
Both Matthew and John omit the events that took place in the upper room after the resurrection.
John said there were many other things that Jesus did, so many in fact, that if written down, the earth was not large enough to contain the accounts. John 21:25
MATTHEW’S COMMISSION
Only Matthew and Mark recorded Jesus’ final instructions to the church. I am going to begin with Mattew’s account.
The eleven apostles traveled to Galilee and met Jesus at a mountain. Matthew 28:16
All the disciples worshiped Jesus, nevertheless, some still doubted because they did not expect His resurrection – even though they were told to anticipate it on multiple occasions. The fact that He stood in front of them, interacting with them, did not matter a whole lot. verse 17
Jesus ignored the ones with unbelief and emphatically stated His final nstructions.
POWER TRANSFER
All power has been transferred to Jesus from God the Father; this entails the heavens and our planet. verse 18
This transfer of power is explained by Paul in his first letter to the church at Corinth.
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Then cometh the end, when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God (God the Father), even the Father; when he (Jesus) shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he (Jesus) must reign, till he (Jesus) hath put all enemies under his (Jesus) feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
For he (God the Father) hath put all things under his (Jesus) feet. But when he (God the Father) saith all things are put under him (Jesus), it is manifest that he (God the Father) is excepted, which did put all things under him (Jesus).
And when all things shall be subdued unto him (Jesus), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him (God the Father) that put all things under him (Jesus), that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)
TEACHING ALL NATIONS
Jesus instructed the apostles to spread out and teach every nation about the Messiah, baptizing the new converts in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19
This was a new concept for the Jewish apostles – actively seeking out Gentiles – who were initially instructed not to preach to them. Matthew 10:5-6
The apostles were familiar with the teachings of the Talmud because the rabbis had promoted it through the synagogue system.
The Talmud is a compilation of discussions, interpretations, and commentaries on the Mosaic law and serves as the central text of Rabbinic Judaism.
It teaches that only Jews have a soul and can be saved. Gentiles are relegated to the same category as animals with no property rights and no legal rights whatsoever.
The Talmud is filled with distilled hatred and discrimination against Gentiles.1 Jesus spoke against the authority of the Talmud. Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13
This pernicious teaching was so ingrained in the apostles that they avoided preaching to the Gentiles in the first year after Pentecost because they considered the Gentiles to be unclean. This is played out in the Book of Acts when an angel speaks to a Roman centurion and Cornelius is told his prayers have been heard by God. He is instructed to send for Peter, who will share God’s message with Cornelius and his household. Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18
Peter makes a statement that is rooted in Talmudic thought. The average person won’t give his words a second thought because they are ignorant of the racism promoted by the Talmudic rabbis.
Peter was astonished that Gentiles had value in God’s eyes; the supernatural intervention meant that they had souls and therefore could receive salvation just like the Jews.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34-35)
Peter traveled to Jerusalem and shared how the Holy Spirit had also baptized Gentiles who believed in Jesus. The apostolic leadership accepted the fact that Gentiles have souls and can be saved.
“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:18)
THE INSTRUCTIONS
When people converted to Christ, they were to observe everything Jesus had instructed the apostles to do. That included the casting out of demons, healing the sick, cleansing the lepers and raising the dead. Matthew 28:20
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:1, 7-8)
Jesus told the apostles that He would be with them until the end of the world. Nothing would change during this time period. The takeaway is that Jesus never changes and His program is steadfast.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
1. Dilling, Elizabeth: THE JEWISH RELIGION – ITS INFLUENCE TODAY, The Noontide Press, 1983, pp.16-17
Remember, it’s not so important how you begin your life after salvation, but how you finish it!
Do you have an ear to hear with?
