A Year in The Life of Jesus | John 20
One of the most memorable moments in The Lord of the Rings comes when Aragorn, newly crowned king, bows before four small hobbits and declares, "My friends, you bow to no one." Even without knowing the story, it's a moving scene. But without understanding the suffering, sacrifice, victory, and restoration that preceded it, we miss the magnitude of what we're witnessing.
Something similar can happen when we read the Great Commission. We know Jesus' instructions to go, make disciples, and bear witness. But when we disconnect those commands from the resurrection, we risk misunderstanding the significance of what Jesus is inviting us into.
There are two common ways Christians can diminish the Great Commission. One reduces the gospel primarily to personal conversion, rescuing souls from sin so they can go to heaven. The other reduces the gospel primarily to social transformation, working to overcome injustice, oppression, and suffering. Both capture something important, but neither tells the whole story. The resurrection of Jesus is bigger than either vision.
First, the Resurrection is Personal: Jesus was sent to rescue us from sin and death.
John 20 introduces us to grieving, frightened disciples whose hope appears to have died with Jesus. Mary Magdalene stands outside his empty tomb weeping, unaware that everything is about to change. Then the risen Jesus speaks her name, and her sorrow gives way to joy.
Jesus' resurrection is not merely a symbol of hope. It is God's decisive answer to the very real problem of sin and death. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15, just as death came through Adam, resurrection life comes through Christ. Through Jesus, forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life are possible. John writes his Gospel so that we might believe Jesus is the Messiah and, by believing, have life in his name.
Second, the Resurrection is Cosmic: Jesus was sent to restore all things.
The biblical story begins in a garden, Eden, where humanity's rebellion introduces sin, suffering, and death. Remarkably, John's resurrection account brings us to another garden, where Mary mistakes the risen Jesus for the gardener. What was lost in Eden has begun to be restored through Jesus' resurrection.
Romans 8 describes creation itself groaning under corruption, eagerly awaiting liberation. Revelation 21 reveals where this story is heading: a new heaven and new earth, where God dwells with humanity, death is defeated, and every tear is wiped away. God's purpose isn't simply to rescue us from a broken world but to restore the world he loves.
Finally, the Great Commission is our invitation to participate in Jesus' Kingdom mission.
The risen Jesus tells his disciples, "As the Father has sent me, I also send you" (John 20:21). We are sent to announce the Kingdom, proclaiming forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ. We are sent to embody the Kingdom through sacrificial love, mercy, justice, and compassion. And we are sent to make disciples who practice the Way of Jesus, learning to love God and their neighbors.
The Great Commission is not merely about getting people into heaven or making the world a better place. We are a people brought to life by Jesus, sent together to announce and embody the good news of his Kingdom.
We've been invited to take our place in the story of the risen King who is making all things new.