The Holy Trinity A

The Holy Trinity A

Jesus had a compelling word with which he made disciples, that word was “Follow me!”  We are told in Vs. 18, that all authority in heaven and on earth is possessed by Jesus.  He now distributes this authority to those he is sending out.  He sends them out to accomplish the same task he accomplished, “Make disciples!”  That command is the controlling imperative verb for the entire sentence.  The others are circumstantial participles announcing the conditions under which the authority to “make disciples” will be exercised.  The first condition for the exercise of that disciple-making authority is that of “going.”  The gathered disciples are sent out as apostles to the world… to the ends of the earth.  The second condition for the use of disciple-making authority is “baptizing.”  Only one name—that of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”—suffices for the wielding of this authority.  The third condition under which this disciple-making authority is wielded is “teaching.”  They are to teach the ones who would be disciples everything taught by Jesus.  Verse 19-20a could be translated like this: “Therefore, under the circumstances of going [to all nations]… under the circumstances of baptizing them in the [Triune] name… under the circumstances of teaching them all I have commanded you… make disciples.”  As they are sent out to exercise this authority, the source of the authority will never be far from them, “Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20).

Prayers from one coveting the use of Jesus’ authority for something other than making disciples…

Holy Father, you teach us to pray to you, in the Holy Spirit and through your Son, Jesus Christ, so grant me the exercise of Jesus’ authority that as I go… as I baptize… and as I teach… disciples of Jesus Christ are made by the Holy Spirit to the glory of your name.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen

Holy Father, you teach us to pray to you, in the Holy Spirit, and through your Son, Jesus Christ, take me out of coveting the use of Jesus’ authority for my own purposes and glory.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen

Holy Father, you teach us to pray in the Holy Spirit and through your Son, Jesus Christ, grant that I be thankful for the comfort of Jesus’ presence and the presence of his authority; his presence and his authority bear the responsibility for making disciples.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen

Holy Father, you teach us to pray to you in the Holy Spirit, and through your Son, Jesus Christ, grant me to be faithful in going… diligent in baptizing… and proper in my teaching… so that the authority given to Jesus would have full reign in the making of disciples.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen

Holy Father, you teach us to pray to you, in the Holy Spirit and through your Son, Jesus Christ, take from me the coveting of quantity… the making of more and more disciples… and keep me content in my going, with my baptizing, and as I am teaching.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen

Holy Father, you teach us to pray to you, in the Holy Spirit, and through your Son, Jesus Christ, be so merciful to the Institute of Lutheran Theology that it, too, may pray thusly.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen

Holy Father, you teach us to pray to you, in the Holy Spirit and through your Son, Jesus Christ, so keep me in the company of Jesus Christ through the hearing of your Word that I, too, pray to you in the Spirit and through Jesus.  I pray through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen