Mark closes his gospel with Jesus giving the Great Commission and Jesus’s Ascension (Mark 19:15-20). Matthew concludes his gospel with Jesus giving them the Great Commission on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20). John ends his gospel with Jesus speaking one-to-one to Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. John states in the last two verses, “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:24-25).
Luke concludes his account of Jesus’ 3 1/2 years ministry with Jesus reteaching the disciples about the nature of his ministry and their soon-to-start ministry of preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations (46-49). Luke’s last four verses concern Jesus’ Ascension (50-53). Of course, Luke starts the Acts of the Apostles with instructions, the Great Commission, and the Ascension.
Jesus told his disciples, “You are witnesses of these things.” I, too, through reading and studying the Bible, am a witness to what Jesus did and taught. More than that, I have a testimony of what Jesus has done and is doing in my life and ministry. I can share this with others. The Great Commission is for all who believe in Jesus.
