Trinity Sunday: Gospel, Matthew 28:16-20

It’s that passage again. The one that can bring a sense of challenge and perhaps guilt. “The Great Commission” given to the eleven before Jesus’ ascension. For many of us it might better be called “the great omission.” Truly. Mine is not a word of condemnation, but identification. Jesus sent out his apostles with His authority. And though we do not carry their office, by virtue of belonging to Christ, we do share their responsibility. For telling others the blessed account of a dead, buried and risen Savior.

The authority is all wrapped up in a Name. An amazing Name that is singular yet much more than what we usually think of as solitary. The commission to spread the gospel comes with the authority (or authorship) of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. On this Trinity Sunday, as on every other, none of us are closer to grasping this great mystery. And I believe that is how perhaps God planned it. It is the single greatest mystery in all the Christian faith.

Perhaps it is fitting that something we have a hard time with intellectually is attached to the commission. While the “mystery” of the Trinity is not the stated cause, we do see the apostles as a worshiping and doubting community at one and the same time (Matt. 28:17). I guess we really don’t know the cause of doubt. Was Jesus truly dead? Am I really fit to follow this Messiah? He can’t mean me in all this, can He?

Do you sense encouragement here as I do? Just before the greatest commission ever given to men, for any reason at any time, there is doubt in some of the hearts on the receiving end. Honestly, I think more doubt lives in the hearts of the Christian body than we would ever be able to surmise on any given Sunday morning. “Hi. How are you doing, brother.” “Oh things are just great. It’s great to be a Christian.” Now I’m not poking at anyone. But life and experience mixing with the declaration of God’s Word doesn’t always make for smooth sailing nor for fearless trusting. So I for one love this verse we find in our gospel this week. “Some doubted.” Notice this: it didn’t stop the Savior from His commissioning task. Not one bit. 

He knew the doubt existed. He loved them all through their doubts. And even carrying their doubts along, He and they changed the world. It is still happening every day. No doubt about it.