From the top of Mount Arbel in Galilee, you can see for miles. To the north, you can see the peak of Mount Hermon, the largest mountain in Israel towering over the borders between Lebanon, Syria and Israel. To the east, you can see the Golan Heights that border Syria and Jordan. To the south, you can see across the Jezreel Valley to the rolling hills of Samaria. To the west, on a clear day you can barely see the electrical power plant next to Caesarea Maritima, an ancient port city that was
built by King Herod where the Apostle Paul set sail for Rome. From one panoramic view you can see the nations.
When Jesus casted a vision.
When Matthew’s Gospel says that Jesus instructed His followers to go to the mountain in Galilee, it’s likely that Mount Arbel was their destination (Matthew 28.16 ESV). There, with a literal vision of the nations, Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” Matthew 28.19-20 ESV.
With those words, Jesus was casting a vision. He was launching a global movement of multiplication. Only days before, the disciples had seen Jesus go from being despised by the Jewish religious leaders to being crucified by the Roman political leaders. His lifeless body had been placed in a tomb, and all hope had been lost. Three days later, however, everything changed.
Jesus, now resurrected, still bore the marks of the cross. They were the battle scars from His victory over the forces of sin, evil, and death. He challenged and commissioned them to invest their lives in His movement that would affect the rest of human history and impact eternity. The gospel spread because they said yes.
Join Jesus and live out His vision
Today, men and women, young and old, are still saying yes. They’re joining with Jesus and living out His vision to make disciples of all nations. It’s not always easy or convenient, but they leave their temporary comforts and momentary pleasures behind to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6.19-20 ESV).
While some people move to remote parts of the world to share the gospel, everyone isn’t called to do that. You can begin working right now in the field where God has planted you.
In the first book of the Grow Series (“Walk with God”), you learned how to make Jesus the center of your life, listen to His voice, pray, and live in Christian community.
In the second book (“Reach Your World”), you learned how to live on mission with Jesus every day by sharing the gospel with the people God has already put in your life.
In the third book of the series, you will learn how to take what you’ve learned and invest it in the lives of others.
You know how to be a disciple; it’s time to start building disciple makers. If you’re ready and willing, Jesus can use you to make a lasting impact on the generations to come.
This blog features an excerpt from the Grow Series for Students, which is coming soon! Click here for more info!
