The Jesus of the Bible is the God of the whole world, and yet many have an unspoken belief that Jesus is a “national Jesus” — that He loves their own nation more than He loves other nations, that His primary concern is with the well-being of their group of people over other groups of people. This isn’t to say that we can’t or shouldn’t love our country. Jesus wants us to be grateful for the good things our country offers and to celebrate the ways its values reflect His. But the real Jesus from the Bible also cares about all the nations equally. He loves all people groups and has called the church to “go (. . .) and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). I live in the United States of America, and I know Jesus loves Americans, wants Americans to know Him as Lord and Savior, and desires to see America flourish spiritually. However, He feels the same way about every other nation and people group in the world.
Jesus loves every nation and people group, wants to see every nation and people group come to Him, and deserves to be worshiped by every nation and people group.
Matthew 28:16-20 is often referred to as the Great Commission, a passage that not only outlines Jesus’s final instructions to His disciples but also underscores His global mission for the church. This passage clarifies that Jesus is not a national Jesus; rather, His heart and mission encompass all nations, tribes, and tongues. The Great Commission is a call to the universal church to participate in a mission that transcends borders, cultures, and ethnicities. The authority of Christ and the responsibility given to His followers emphasize the comprehensive nature of His love for the world. God’s heart is for the nations, and He calls on the church to also care about all nations.
This passage shows that Jesus loves all the nations of the world, died to save people from every nation, and is the ruler over every earthly kingdom. “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (v. 18). This statement reinforces Jesus’s divine sovereignty. After His resurrection, Jesus affirms His supreme authority — not only over spiritual matters but over all of creation. He is the God who reigns supreme over every country. He is King everywhere, whether people acknowledge His rule or not. This authority is key to understanding the global scope of the Great Commission.
The command to make disciples of “all nations” (v. 19) flows directly from Jesus’s universal rule, making it clear that His heart and mission extend to every corner of the globe. This global authority also serves as the foundation for the disciples’ confidence in carrying out their mission. They are not sent in their own strength or authority but under the reign of the risen Christ, who has conquered sin and death.
The real Jesus says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations . . . ” (v. 19). This is the central command Jesus gave His disciples who would form the New Testament church. The primary command here is to “make disciples,” which involves teaching, mentoring, and guiding people into a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. The global dimension of this task is clear: Jesus is calling His followers to reach “all nations.” The ultimate form of obedience to your King is to go and make other disciples.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Shane Pruitt is executive director of next gen evangelism at the North American Mission Board. This excerpt is from the Lifeway book Not My Jesus.)
