WWJT?

No, the question isn't "What would Jesus Tweet?" I'm sure that's the first thing that came into your mind, although it would be interesting to hear such wisdom in 140 characters or less, and just imagine the hashtags! It's not even "What would Jesus Think?".

This question is one I ponder as I read the last chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Now, the end of Mark's Gospel gives us a similar account, instructing the disciples to go and preach the gospel and see people believe and be baptized.

This article makes an assumption, that the reader knows the meaning of the term gospel, but if not, in short, it is the good news of Yeshua/Jesus' death, burial and Resurrection. If the reader is not familiar with this idea and does not understand the significance of Jesus paying the price for the sins of mankind (yours and mine), so that we can receive the gift of God written of in Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8 and elsewhere, then I encourage you to stop and make that your utmost priority.

Matthew 28 is easily one of the most preached on scriptures in the New Testament, and in particular the last few verses, commonly referred to as "The Great Commission":

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and,lo, I am with you alway*, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

This is clearly a command from Jesus to teach everyone about the gospel, and about baptism, but it doesn't end there. It says, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you. The immediate question that comes to my mind is WWJT? What Would Jesus Teach? or more appropriately, what did Jesus teach? What were the things He observed? What "doctrine" did He teach that He expected His disciples to carry on?

Oh yes, many Christian churches love to talk about DOCTRINE. Wait, actually, most like to argue about doctrine, creating division amongst brethren and explaining from one DEMONINATION....oops Freudian slip.....denomination to another why their doctrine is correct and the others is wrong, but isn't the only "doctrine" that matters the doctrine that Jesus himself followed and taught others to follow? So WWJT?

Jesus answered them, and said,My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:18)

OK, that's pretty easy. His doctrine is the same as the one who sent Him. So who sent Jesus?

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (John 12:49)

OK, again pretty straight-forward, the Father sent Jesus. So what is the Father's doctrine, since Jesus said that is the doctrine He was teaching.

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. (Proverbs 4:1-2)

The Father's doctrine is good and we are not to forsake His law/instruction. That word is Towrah. Guess what? That includes the beginning of the Book too (and not just the tithing part).

What did Jesus teach and observe?

What were His disciples commanded to teach and observe?

And what does that mean I am to teach and observe?

These are the questions I ask myself, and challenge you to do the same.

#law #instruction #greatcommission #gospel #Jesus #WWJT #baptism #doctrine #teach