I promised that today we would look at the meeting in Galilee of the risen Lord Jesus with his disciples:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them 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 28.16 – 20, ESV)

I’ve written about this before, but it’s always worth remembering to whom Jesus gave what we call “The Great Commission.” Eleven men, the cream of the crop, brave, highly trained spiritual warriors! Ah, no. “When they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” Doubted?! Doubted the resurrection when the risen Jesus was standing right in front of them? Doubted his identity? Doubted their abilities? What did they doubt? The text doesn’t say. But as my friend Bill Mowry says:

They doubted, but they showed up!

And to those doubters who showed up he promised…

• His POWER (“all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me”)
• His PRESENCE (“and behold I am with you always”)

…as they carry out his PURPOSE (“make disciples of all nations”)

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1.8, ESV)