Jul25
As Lutherans do we take the great commission as Law or Gospel? The recent Issues etc episode on the great commission was helpful. However, it did not define the commission specifically as either “law” or “gospel”. Is the great commission considered an exception to law gospel distinction? ~A
A,
I will assume by the “Great Commission” you mean Matthew 28:18ff (and not Genesis 1:28, Luke 24:46ff or John 21:15-19). Jesus words here are both Law and Gospel. Before explaining, it is important to understand that the view of Law=bad, Gospel=good, is very misguided… and this is a common mistake amongst Lutherans. Both the Law and the Gospel are simply God’s good and gracious will. When Jesus says “all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to Me” and also “I am with you always, to the end of the age” this is Gospel language. It is about what Christ has done as is doing to save sinners. There is even a sense that his command to the disciples “in your going, make disciples of all nations…” is Gospel in that it is through this Ministry (that is through Word and Sacrament), that people are saved. However there is a sense in which this command is also Law, it is what God has commanded us to do. As I reflect on this command, I can always see where I’ve failed to teach, to make disciples because I am a wretched sinner. The new man in Christ in me, motivated and freed by the Gospel, delights in this command. So this passage, like the rest of Scripture is far from an exception to the distinction of Law and Gospel, rather this shows just how important (and even difficult) applying this distinction can be.
I will assume by the “Great Commission” you mean Matthew 28:18ff (and not Genesis 1:28, Luke 24:46ff or John 21:15-19). Jesus words here are both Law and Gospel. Before explaining, it is important to understand that the view of Law=bad, Gospel=good, is very misguided… and this is a common mistake amongst Lutherans. Both the Law and the Gospel are simply God’s good and gracious will. When Jesus says “all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to Me” and also “I am with you always, to the end of the age” this is Gospel language. It is about what Christ has done as is doing to save sinners. There is even a sense that his command to the disciples “in your going, make disciples of all nations…” is Gospel in that it is through this Ministry (that is through Word and Sacrament), that people are saved. However there is a sense in which this command is also Law, it is what God has commanded us to do. As I reflect on this command, I can always see where I’ve failed to teach, to make disciples because I am a wretched sinner. The new man in Christ in me, motivated and freed by the Gospel, delights in this command. So this passage, like the rest of Scripture is far from an exception to the distinction of Law and Gospel, rather this shows just how important (and even difficult) applying this distinction can be.
Matthew Lorfeld, Pastor
Messiah Lutheran Church
La Crescent, MN
