In the Great Commission, Jesus gave His disciples a clear mandate: “…Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
These words were not only for the 11. They are for every follower of Christ in every generation. We are not simply to believe in Jesus. We are to obey Him.
We are not only to make converts. We are to make disciples who learn to follow every command of their Master.
But here is a question: What exactly did Jesus command? How many commands did He give?
Scholars and Bible teachers have compiled different lists over the years. Some count 40 commands. Others count 49. One popular Bible plan lists 94 commands of Christ.
The number depends on how one categorizes and interprets His words. But one thing is certain: Jesus gave many commands. And He expects His followers to know them, teach them, and obey them.
This week, we begin a new series in Seeds of Faith. We will journey through the commands of Jesus Christ, one command at a time, week by week.
We will study what He said. We will reflect on what it means. And we will ask the Holy Spirit to help us obey. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obedience is the language of love.
First, the commands of Jesus are not optional.
Some Christians treat the commands of Jesus as suggestions or ideals. Jesus did not give His commands for us to admire from a distance.
He gave them for us to obey. He said in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” To call Jesus “Lord” is to acknowledge His authority. And to acknowledge His authority is to obey His commands.
The commands of Jesus are not burdensome. They are life giving. They are not chains. They are boundaries that protect us and guide us into abundant living.
When we obey Jesus, we are not earning our salvation. We are expressing our love. We are walking in the way that leads to life.
Second, the commands of Jesus are meant to be taught to others.
The Great Commission does not end with baptism. It continues with teaching. We are to teach others to obey everything Jesus commanded.
This means we must know His commands ourselves. We cannot teach what we do not know. And we cannot teach what we do not practice.
This series is an invitation to go deeper. To open the Gospels and read with fresh eyes. To ask: What is Jesus telling me to do? To examine our lives and align them with His words. And then to share what we learn with others in our homes, in our churches, in our workplaces.
As we begin this journey through the commands of Christ, let us pray for open hearts and willing spirits. Let us commit not only to learn but to obey. And let us remember the promise of Jesus: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)
May this series draw us closer to our Lord and make us more faithful disciples. | NWI
