All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth

Christ Pantocrator, 6th century, St. Catherine's Monastery, Mt. Sinai

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:16-20

Today is Ascension Day, the day we commemorate Jesus’ ascension into heaven. In the Eastern church, Jesus is exemplified as Pantocrator, the Resurrected Christ. Pantocrator means Almighty; the One for whom “all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” The icon, above, is the earliest surviving icon of Pantocrator, from St. Catherine’s monastery on Mount Sinai. If you look closely (you can click to view it larger), you will see the two sides of Christ's face, and His two eyes – one full of human suffering and experience, the other by contrast illumined, fresh, “heavenly.” They are meant to give us the full picture of our risen Lord, both human and divine. We note that He holds the Gospels, His word, decorated with the Cross which speaks to us both of His life and Resurrection. His hand confers blessing, in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- the two extended fingers representing His two natures, the one divine, the second (just a little lower) human.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. The eleven, minus Judas, meet at the place they’ve been told to gather. They are back in the place of Jesus’ ministry, where He began to preach and the place where most of the disciples come from, Galilee. Galilee, we remember, is a place of mixed races and cultures, not considered purely Jewish. It is an important symbol for all the world, both Jew and Gentile.

And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. We know the story of the Apostle Thomas. The Gospel gives us the understanding that the Apostles, though commissioned here in today’s reading, do not have what we might call a “perfect faith.” But Christ begins where He begins, and His Church begins with the resources it has, even eleven disciples (minus one who betrayed the Master).

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Jesus makes His statement about His status. He has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth.” He is the full Lord of the universe. We assume that this authority comes from the Father. Jesus has said that “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Here, all authority is His. My study bible says, “This is the terminology of exaltation and glorification. It manifests the power of His Resurrection, and the authority to bring human beings back to life.”

“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.” In my opinion, the three statements Jesus makes here are all coupled for a reason, inseparable from one another. First, we are told that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Now comes the next command, inseparable from that power. Contained within this second statement here are several important elements: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . and the command to baptize in the name of the Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit. In Him now is all authority, and where He is there is the Trinity. The full weight of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is in the baptism, in what is holy, in His name. And finally, His full set of commandments: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” His teaching is inseparable from baptism in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Him is fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. Matthew’s Gospel has fully given us, in repeated form, this emphasis. My study bible adds, “If we observe this context for the Lord’s command to make disciples of all the nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we see that making disciples cannot be done in the strength of man, but only in the power of God. The reality of the Resurrection refers not only to its historicity, apostolic witness, and necessity for faith, but also to its power in our Christian life and mission. The resurrected Son of God, living in us and energizing us, makes possible the salvation of all.”

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Here is the great promise of Ascension Day. As risen Lord, as the One to whom all authority has been given, Christ is ever-present. He supersedes time to be with us, even individually – but also in all ways; i.e. “where two or three are gathered in my name.” And His rule is without end, even to the end of the age. What will happen then, none of us knows. But this is an eternal promise. The end of the age refers to earthly life, not to His rule. This is a promise that His presence will not leave us, nor will His authority of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in heaven and on the earth. My study bible puts it this way: “By saying He is with you always, Jesus means His Resurrection is neither of the past, nor of the future. It is always present in our lives through the Holy Spirit. We know Him directly, here and now, in the present, as our Savior and our Friend. To the end of the age does not by any means imply that we are to be separated from Him after that great consummation. He is with us now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.”

If we consider the power in the authority with which Jesus is conferred, we have to see that the promises of this kingdom, His seed among us, are really unlimited. They are even a great mystery: we can’t say, as human beings, where we are headed, where His ministry in us is headed, where His Church will go. “All nations” tells us that as far as earthly powers are concerned, there is no limit to discipleship, to the spread of this gospel message, His teachings and commands, the power of baptism in the name of Father, Son and Spirit. And baptism confers a rebirth, and an anointing. Baptism gives us an introduction, a citizenship in a holy kingdom, it initiates us into something, an order of heavenly rule that also has all authority on earth. Let us think about His promise. Perhaps the greatest promise of all is His ever-presence for us, “even to the end of the age.” What do we do with this great gift? How do we allow it into our lives? How do we give our assent to its work within us and through us? How do we live as a part of this kingdom? One thing my study bible has emphasized in its notes today: this power is with us and works with us and in us. The power of baptism and discipleship is not ours to create or make, but ours as a gift in the power and the name of Father, Son and Spirit. What do you do with the gift? How do you receive it today? Do you seek to limit its work in you? How do you practice your discipleship? Faith does not have to be “perfect.” But, let us remember, that faith is a trust. How do you put your trust in His authority?