And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age

 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."  Amen.

- Matthew 28:16-20

Yesterday we read that Jesus said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.  Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.  Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them.  Of how much more value are you than the birds?  And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?  Consider the lilies, how they grow:  they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?  And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the  kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you."

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.  Today's reading commemorates Ascension Day, which is celebrated today in the West.  For the Eastern Orthodox, Ascension is next week, on June 6th.  The eleven disciples are the twelve, minus the one who has betrayed Christ, Judas Iscariot.  Let us note that when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.  The Gospels make clear to us that there are those who doubt.  (In Matthew's Gospel, from which today's reading is taken, Christ has made a Resurrection appearance only to the women at the tomb; see 28:1-10.  In John's chapter 20, we are given the appearance to the women, the Great Commission in today's reading, and also the story of doubt as expressed by the apostle Thomas).

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  My study bible says that this is a declaration by Christ that the authority that was His by nature in His divinity is now also possessed by His glorified human nature.  The completion of His mission as Incarnate human being has meant that this human nature has now trampled the final enemy, which is death (1 Corinthians 15:20-28). 

"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 . . .."  This is the Great Commission, the Lord's final commandment which is given on earth.  My study bible comments that it is to be lived out in the Church until His Return.  To make disciples cannot be done through human power alone, but only in the power of God.  Therefore, the power of the Resurrection isn't just for Jesus only, but it is given to all believers for Christian life and mission, which connects us to the promise He makes next.

. . . and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Amen.  My study bible tells us that Christ Himself is present in each believer and in the Church always, both personally and in the Holy Spirit, as neither can be separated from the other.  To the end of the age, my study bible says, does not imply we will be separated from Christ at the end of the world.  As we often hear in worship and prayer, He is with us now, and forever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

How do we teach others to be disciples?  In other words, how do we fulfill Christ's command given in this Great Commission?  Does it apply only to religious, those ordained in the Church to baptize and to teach?  As laypeople, so we also have, in the tradition of the Church, a commission to baptize where baptism is impossible otherwise, such as at the sudden death of an infant.  We teach others discipleship through our own example of discipleship.  In this sense, this commission is for all of us, for each of us, for in our own discipleship we will find natural ways to teach and to give example.  Without a doubt, just as He promises that He is with us always, even to the end of the age, He remains with each one of us, both in Himself and in the Holy Trinity which dwells within us also, and in that Trinity, so dwells the communion of saints in heaven and on earth.  This promise leaves us connected and in communion in ways we don't know and can't easily see of ourselves, but it is a promise nonetheless, that works in ways which are mysterious (meaning "hidden") to us.  Our lives, in our faith, are never separated from a vast connection both visible and invisible.  Christ, as divine Lord who has also transfigured human nature through the Incarnation, remains with us and within us, as He has promised.  He connects us more thoroughly to the divine and righteous.  The angels rejoice, we are told, at His Ascension, to see human nature glorified and entering into heaven -- for this is a revelation even for them as well.  All of creation, then, and not simply we human believers, rejoices in this Ascension and given commission.  If our own human nature is so transfigured in the Incarnation, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord, then the Church has been left for 2,000 years to wonder what that means for us who dwell in the world as believers.  We are given the myriad saints as examples of what that means, their own unique natures and character each transfigured in the light of Christ, magnifying compassion and love, a communion exemplified, the depth of adoration revealed that is possible to us.  In the saints we find a divine longing for the love of God, a thirst that is only possibly fulfilled in God's love, and all the expressions of such love shared with us as is possible, in unique ways for the circumstances, times, and characters of such saints -- and also of those myriad saints whose names we don't know.  We are connected through a web of prayer and of love, a love we don't know except through God who surpasses human expectations.  Our Lord transfigures our passions into love, and shows us the way into that love through discipleship.  By implication, the way is unlimited; but our own natures go with Him so that we, too, may rest in that discipleship and that future for we are created for this divine purpose.  As He states, it all begins with baptism, where we are invited to die to the old and live a new life -- a baptism that continues throughout our discipleship.  Do we accept the Commission, and that future for ourselves and our world?

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?

Whose Son is He?

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to him, "The Son of David." He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying:

'The Lord said to my Lord,

"Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool" '?

"If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?"

And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question him anymore.

- Matthew 22:41-46

As we are in preparation for Ascension Day tomorrow, the lectionary takes us to different parts of the gospel of Matthew in celebration of this day. Today's reading focuses on Jesus' dispute with the Pharisees about interpretation of scripture - most specifically the understanding from scripture about the nature of the Christ, or the Messiah.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to him, "The Son of David." My study bible notes that "Jesus takes the offensive against the Pharisees, further exposing them as pseudo-scholars who do not understand the bible. They suppose the Messiah to be a mere man, and therefore reply Son of David to Jesus' question." At this point in Matthew's gospel, Jesus has been repeatedly challenged by the leadership in the temple. In today's passage, Jesus clearly takes the offensive. And, of course, when speaking of "the Christ," we know that he is, in fact, declaring himself - speaking of himself.

He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool" '? If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?" The passage Jesus quotes here is from Psalm 110:1, a psalm of David. My study bible notes: "David, as king of Israel, would not address anyone as 'my Lord' except God Himself. Therefore, this psalm verse describes God talking to God -- the Father to the Son -- which contradicts the Pharisees' view of God as one Person, and introduces the doctrine of the Holy Trinity." Jesus refers to David, authoring the psalm, "in the Spirit." So, in effect, this is another occasion on which the Trinity is introduced through the Gospel: The Father speaks to the Son - "the Lord said to my Lord" - which David receives "in the Spirit." Speaking for myself, the psalms of David remain the beautiful and timeless prayers they do because of this aspect of David himself - "in the Spirit" - a king with the soul of a great mystic. It is the nature of scripture such as this that it is timeless, and transcends our immediate needs and awareness so that it addresses a need for depth that is always with us. As we have skipped around the gospel for a particular occasion, tomorrow's Ascension Day celebration, we have had a chance to review several ideas linked with one another through the gospels. Here, Jesus ties in David's beautiful psalm verse with his own teachings in confrontation with the interpretation of the Pharisees. In the past few readings, we have had an opportunity to review the parable of the Sower (see Why do you speak to them in parables? and Therefore hear the parable of the sower) in light of our recent reading of the Sermon on the Mount and all of its teachings (see readings and commentary from Monday, April 26th through Saturday, May 8th, 2010 -- beginning with The Beatitudes and ending with The Narrow Gate). We have understood from doing so the importance of "spiritual eyes and ears" - the ability to see and hear spiritually, to understand, and to go further into our faith by bearing the fruit of this understanding - by going more deeply and growing in that understanding. Here, Jesus illustrates the same point at a much later part of the gospel. As my study bible notes, Jesus here illustrates - through confrontation - the Pharisees' lack of understanding.

In telling his disciples the explanation of his use of parables, Jesus quoted from the Prophet Isaiah, saying, " And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.' But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." Here in this passage today, Jesus is illustrating the same point with the Pharisees. He is therefore, at once, referring to himself and his nature in the Person of the Christ, and also as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. The meanings and timelessness of scripture link - and the fruitfulness Jesus desires is our deeper understanding of them, as exemplified in the fullness of his teachings and his own enlightening words about the various parts of scripture he expands upon from the Old Testament. Indeed, the entire Sermon on the Mount focuses on the expansion of what is already understood through scripture. We are to have spiritual eyes and ears open to this understanding, and growth in that awareness. All of his teachings that we have reviewed in the Sermon on the Mount, and through the parable of the Sower have told us that.

"And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question him anymore." Clearly, the gospel is teaching us, the Pharisees have understood precisely what has been illustrated. Jesus has more insight into the scriptures than they do - he who is without credential, and yet who always "speaks as one with authority." The break is complete, and Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled.

As we prepare for Ascension Day (I believe that this year it is universally on the same day in all denominations), let us consider again the importance of having eyes and ears that see and hear spiritually. All of our readings - from all parts of Matthew's gospel - have focused on this in the past few weeks. Jesus wants followers with these eyes and ears, and hearts open to spiritual meaning and knowledge. It is more than just an intellectual grasp. What we pray "to our Father in the secret place" is meant to be a communion, relationship, dialogue. We ask for the word - as seed - to take root and growth within us, in our hearts. We prepare today for tomorrow's feast - the Ascension into heaven on the fortieth day. And this Ascension in turn prepares us for Pentecost. All prepare us for a deeper awakening of our own nature, and the dimensions of the spiritual life that Christ is here to awaken in us - for our salvation, "lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." This is a mystical reality, a spiritual relationship that ties to that part of us that is capable of understanding it and receiving. Through this mystical reality we transcend and are transformed. It is this dimension within ourselves that Christ calls out to - to awaken that which had been separated from its communion with God, so that we are reconciled and healed -- as in the words of Isaiah that Jesus has quoted in his explanation for his use of parables. Tomorrow we all celebrate the day of Christ's Ascension - his human nature restored to heaven, so that we are restored with him as well, in preparation for the universal bestowal of the Spirit. Let us ponder what it is to keep eyes, ears and hearts open to that Spirit, today, as we receive the mysteries of the kingdom, as we are still, and remain, his disciples.