The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, is a pivotal moment in Christian history, where Jesus Christ commands his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. While this commission is most directly stated in the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Luke provides valuable insights and strategies for fulfilling this mandate. Luke’s Gospel, with its emphasis on the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the ministry of Jesus, offers a unique perspective on how to approach the Great Commission. Here are seven Great Commission strategies that can be gleaned from Luke’s Gospel:
1. Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Luke’s Gospel begins with the promise of the Holy Spirit, seen in the birth narratives of John the Baptist and Jesus. This theme continues throughout the book, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for ministry. In Luke 11:13, Jesus promises that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. This dependence on the Holy Spirit is a crucial strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission, as it recognizes that the task of making disciples is beyond human capability alone. By seeking the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, believers can evangelize and disciple with supernatural effectiveness.
2. Prayer as a Foundation
Prayer is a dominant theme in Luke’s Gospel, with Jesus often retreating to pray before significant events. In Luke 6:12-13, Jesus spends the night in prayer before choosing his twelve apostles, demonstrating the importance of prayer in decision-making and ministry. For those seeking to fulfill the Great Commission, establishing a strong prayer life is essential. Prayer not only seeks God’s guidance and power but also aligns the believer’s heart with God’s mission. By making prayer a foundation of their efforts, Christians can ensure that their evangelism and discipleship are guided by God’s wisdom and empowered by his presence.
3. Compassion and Mercy in Ministry
Luke’s Gospel portrays Jesus as a minister of mercy and compassion, often reaching out to the marginalized and the outcast. In Luke 15, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son illustrate God’s heart of love and forgiveness towards those who are lost. This approach to ministry is a powerful strategy for the Great Commission, as it recognizes that people are drawn to the love and compassion of Christ. By demonstrating mercy and compassion in their ministry, believers can create an attractive and welcoming environment for those who are seeking God.
4. Focused on the Harvest
In Luke 10:2, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray for laborers, because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. This focus on the harvest is a key strategy for the Great Commission, emphasizing the urgency and importance of evangelism and discipleship. By understanding that the fields are ripe for harvest, believers can approach their ministry with a sense of expectation and urgency, praying for more workers to join in the task of reaching the lost.
5. Team Ministry
Luke’s Gospel often highlights the teamwork involved in Jesus’ ministry, from the twelve apostles to the seventy-two sent out in Luke 10. This emphasis on team ministry is a valuable strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission, as it recognizes that no one person can accomplish the task alone. By working together, believers can support one another, share the workload, and combine their gifts and talents to achieve more than they could individually.
6. Incarnational Ministry
The incarnation of Jesus Christ, where God became flesh and dwelt among us, is a profound model for ministry. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is often found eating with sinners, visiting the homes of tax collectors, and engaging with those on the margins of society. This incarnational approach to ministry is a powerful strategy for the Great Commission, as it involves entering into the world of those who are being reached. By living among the people, sharing their joys and sorrows, and demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways, believers can build bridges of trust and credibility, making the gospel more accessible and relevant.
7. Persistent and Patient Evangelism
Finally, Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the importance of persistence and patience in evangelism. In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus teaches that believers should always pray and not give up, even when the results seem slow in coming. This strategy for the Great Commission recognizes that making disciples is often a long-term process, requiring faithfulness, perseverance, and trust in God’s sovereignty. By adopting a long-term perspective and persevering in prayer and ministry, believers can see the fruits of their labor, even if they do not immediately appear.
In conclusion, Luke’s Gospel offers a wealth of strategies for fulfilling the Great Commission, from dependence on the Holy Spirit to persistent and patient evangelism. By embracing these approaches, believers can fulfill Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations, trusting in God’s power and wisdom to guide and empower their efforts. As the church continues to engage in the mission of Jesus, may it be marked by the characteristics of Luke’s Gospel: compassion, prayer, teamwork, and a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in fulfilling the Great Commission according to Luke's Gospel?
+The Holy Spirit is emphasized in Luke's Gospel as the empowerer of believers for ministry. Jesus promises that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him, indicating that dependence on the Holy Spirit is crucial for effective evangelism and discipleship.
How does Jesus' ministry in Luke's Gospel model incarnational ministry for believers today?
+Jesus' ministry, as depicted in Luke's Gospel, involves engaging with people on their level, eating with sinners, and visiting the homes of tax collectors. This incarnational approach models for believers the importance of entering into the world of those they are trying to reach, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways, and building bridges of trust and credibility.
What is the significance of prayer in Luke's Gospel, and how can it inform our approach to the Great Commission?
+Prayer is a dominant theme in Luke's Gospel, with Jesus often retreating to pray before significant events. This emphasis on prayer suggests that believers should make prayer a foundation of their efforts to fulfill the Great Commission, seeking God's guidance, power, and alignment with his mission. Prayer not only empowers ministry but also ensures that believers are guided by God's wisdom and reliant on his power.
By implementing these strategies and principles from Luke’s Gospel, the church can fulfill the Great Commission with faithfulness, effectiveness, and a deep reliance on God’s power and wisdom. May the emphasis on the Holy Spirit, prayer, compassion, teamwork, incarnational ministry, and persistent evangelism guide and empower believers as they engage in the mission of Jesus Christ.
