All Authority, Always With Us: The Great Commission and God’s Eternal Presence

The Great Commission in Matthew 28 isn’t just a call to evangelism—it’s the culmination of God’s entire story with humanity. From the beginning of creation to the end of the age, this passage reveals how Jesus restores our original calling and promises to walk with us every step of the way.

The Significance of the Eleven

When Jesus gathered his followers for the Great Commission, Matthew specifically mentions there were only 11 disciples present. This detail matters more than we might think. In biblical numerology, 12 represents completeness and perfection, while 11 represents incompleteness—something missing. Yet Jesus entrusts this imperfect, incomplete group with the perfect calling to “go into all the world.” This reveals something profound about how God works: He doesn’t wait for perfect people because there aren’t any. He uses willing hearts, imperfect as they may be.

What Does It Mean That Some Doubted?

One of the most authentic moments in Scripture occurs when the disciples see the resurrected Jesus. The text tells us they worshiped him, “but some doubted.” This isn’t a failure—it’s deeply relatable. We often wrestle with doubts on our faith journey, especially when stepping out in obedience to God’s calling. The beautiful truth is that Jesus doesn’t reject doubters; He uses them. He’s not looking for perfection—He’s looking for presence and willingness to show up.

How Does the Great Commission Connect to Creation?

To understand the Great Commission fully, we need to go back to the beginning. In Genesis 1:28, God gave humanity both an identity (made in His image) and a destiny (to rule and steward the earth under His authority). We were created to be “cosmic gardeners,” partnering with God to make the whole world like Eden.
When Adam and Eve chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil over trusting God’s timing, they lost this authority to the enemy. Sin and death entered the world, and our original calling was broken.

How Did Jesus Restore Our Original Calling?

Jesus came as fully God and fully man to confront the enemy head-on. At the cross, He defeated the power of sin with the power of death, then defeated the power of death with the power of life through His resurrection. When Jesus declares “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” He’s announcing that He has wrestled back the dominion that was lost at the fall. Now He shares this authority with us, restoring us to our original calling as His partners in making a difference on earth.

What Does “Make Disciples” Really Mean?

The Great Commission is often misunderstood as primarily about “going” somewhere special. But the emphasis is actually on “make disciples” as you go about your daily life. Whether you’re going to work, school, or the grocery store, you have opportunities to make disciples. A disciple isn’t necessarily a mature believer—it’s simply someone who willingly chooses to follow Jesus and commit to living like He did. The disciples themselves were far from perfect, often making mistakes and needing correction from Jesus.

Why Does Jesus Promise “I Am With You Always”?

The Great Commission begins with “all authority” and ends with “I am with you always.” This isn’t coincidental—it forms what biblical scholars call a “pericope,” where the beginning and ending create a complete thought. The message is clear: The One who holds all authority is the same One who never leaves your side. This truth changes everything about how we live, pushing away fear, doubt, and despair because we live with constant awareness of His presence and power.

How Does This Connect to Christmas?

Matthew’s Gospel begins with the promise that Jesus would be called “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with us.” It ends with Jesus saying “I am with you always.” This isn’t accidental—Matthew is making the point that from birth to resurrection and beyond, Jesus is God with us. This promise spans from the manger to the cross to the empty tomb and into our daily lives today.

Life Application

This week, live with the constant awareness that Jesus has all authority and is always with you. When you face challenges, remember that the One with ultimate power walks beside you. When you encounter opportunities to share His love, step out knowing He’s given you His authority to make a difference. Ask yourself these questions:

How would I live differently if I truly believed Jesus has all authority over my circumstances?
Where in my life do I need to remember that Jesus is always with me?
What opportunities do I have this week to “make disciples” as I go about my daily routine?
Am I waiting for perfection before I step out in faith, or am I willing to show up imperfectly and trust Jesus to work through me?

The same Jesus who called 11 imperfect disciples to change the world is calling you to partner with Him today. He’s not asking for perfection—just presence, willingness, and trust that He’ll meet you every step of the way.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.