Devotionals for March 14, 2024

Theology Thursday today at noon. Join us! 

READ

MATTHEW 28:18-19
"Jesus came and told his disciples, ’I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’"

REFLECT

What do you think about when you hear the phrase “all the nations?” Our denomination is called “Every Nation” and notes that we are “a global family of churches dedicated to establishing church-planting churches, reaching the next generation on the campus, and preaching the gospel "to every nation." We further explain that the UN recognizes that 195 nations but that only 82 of these have Every Nation churches today.

In the Greek, the phrase is "Panta te ethne" which more literally means “all the people groups.” This suggests that Jesus may have had a bigger vision in mind than just the geopolitical boundaries of the 21st century. When we consider people groups, the great commission takes on both a global and a local significance.

APPLY

Q: What is the farthest nation that you have visited?

Q: What are some local people groups that you interact with in your daily routines?

Q: What does Jesus declare is true before commissioning his followers to go and make disciples of all nations?

SING

PRAY

"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."

Lord, open my eyes to see the injustices that one nation perpetrates against another on a global scale and also that one people group perpetrates against another on a local scale. Remind me that I have been forgiven much, give me courage to take the message of forgiveness and reconciliation to the sins within our local and global communities, and show me innovative ways to pursue justice, mercy, and healing in those areas.