Matthew’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ authority and ends with it. In the first movement, we see Jesus teaching with authority and performing miracles that demonstrate His power over disease, nature, demons, and death. But after the resurrection, Jesus declares something even greater: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Not some authority. Not religious authority. All authority. Authority over every king and kingdom. Authority over every power and principality. Authority over life and death, sin and Satan, heaven and earth. The crucified and risen Jesus now possesses total, universal, cosmic authority.
This is the ground of the Great Commission. Because Jesus has all authority, He can command His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. This isn’t a suggestion or a good idea – it’s a command from the One who has all authority. And it’s not a command to make converts or build institutions, but to make disciples – people who learn to observe everything Jesus commanded.
But notice what else Jesus says: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is Matthew’s Gospel in miniature. Jesus has all authority, but He doesn’t use that authority to distance Himself from us. Instead, He promises to be with us always. The God who has all power chooses to use that power to remain present with His people.
This is what we need to remember as we face the challenges of following Jesus in a hostile world. Yes, we go out as sheep among wolves. Yes, following Jesus is costly. Yes, we will face opposition and polarization. But we do not go alone. The One who has all authority goes with us. The One who conquered death walks beside us. The One who will judge the world in righteousness is present with us today.
The question that echoes through Matthew’s Gospel – “What will you do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” – isn’t ultimately a question about what we will do. It’s a question about who Jesus is. And Matthew’s answer is clear: He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth, the One who promises to be with us always.