STANDING ORDER: GO & MAKE
In a prior career I had the great privilege of working shoulder to shoulder with members of the United States Navy.
I picked up on many of their routines and practices. One such routine are something called Standing Orders.
Standing Orders are explicit directions from the Commanding Officer that are always in effect. Regardless of the CO’s presence, every sailor knows they are expected to carry out these orders.
Senior experienced Commanding Officers would often comment on Standing Orders from less experienced skippers in their position. I think they would be very pleased with:
19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The best Standing Orders are brief, unambiguous, and non-negotiable.
Behind this idea of Standing Orders lies a connection with the ship and the skipper…so too with Matthew 28:19-20.
Six thoughts come to mind.
1. To “Go and Make” is a response to the Risen Christ—meaning it is a personal response. If our “going and making” seems weak, perhaps we need to spend time with the Master.
2. To “Go and Make” springs forth from worship. Consider verses 28:9 & 17. The inner motivation comes from personally knowing and actively worshipping Jesus.
3. To “Go and Make”, like all Standing Orders, is not in isolation. It stands side-by-side with the Great Commandment: to Love our Neighbor. Without this partner Standing Order, we would merely be out trying to “rack up points for ourselves”. Our actions must flow from our genuine love of others. We like the Father must “desire none to perish” (2 Peter 3:9).
4. To “Go and Make” is simply a matter of obedience. Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). We must be like the Centurion, one who understands what it means to be “under authority”. For the authority Jesus gives us is only valid if we obey.
5. To “Go and Make” includes baptism and discipleship. For someone like myself who works in the field of evangelism, we know well the importance that when a person is convinced Jesus is the Son of God, when they “turn to Him”, it is just the beginning.
6. To “Go and Make” keeps us turned outward. Without it we will die. Without it the Church becomes a club, centered on maintaining itself—and not mission. In many ways, to “Go and Make” is as much for us as much for us, as for those who have yet to meet Jesus.
In the end, it comes down to the depth of our love for Jesus and our fellow man. Whenever I am struggling with “Go and Make”, the answer is going first to Jesus.
How are you doing with “Go and Make”?