The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:16–20, NIV 1984).
My Musings – These are the last recorded words that Jesus spoke to the remaining eleven disciples after Judas’ betrayal and death. In his book, the Acts of the Apostles, Luke added “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV 1984). We know these are His last words because “after he said this, He was taken up [into heaven] before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9, NIV 1984).
Surprisingly, there were some of the eleven who still had some doubts, although we are not given the specifics. But the doubts soon disappeared as the rest of book of Acts attests. Alos, tradition handed down tells us that all but one of the Apostles (John) were martyred for their faith in Christ. Today, except for pockets of unreached people groups here and there, the Gospel has been taken “to the ends of the earth.” Which likely tells us that we are getting close “to the very end of the age.” For Jesus told us, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14, NIV 1984).
My Advice – The end of the age. Good news for some, dreadful for others. “The day of the Lord [end of the age] is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? Rend Your Heart. ‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'” (Joel 2:11–12, NIV 1984). How can we endure it and escape the dread? “Return to me with all your heart.” Through the Gospel. For “no one comes to the Father except through [Jesus].” (John 14:6, NIV 1984). We must not be among the “some [who] doubted.“
The Brew Is A Musing 