Worst Ending Ever (Matthew 28:16-20)
"Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 NLT)
If you've ever had a great movie ruined by a terrible ending, this post is dedicated to you.
From beginning to end, the life Jesus recorded in the gospels is the most fascinating story ever written. That is until the very end. If I'm being honest, and I usually am, I hate the ending of the gospels because it never really wraps things up.
For instance, let's suppose that you went to see a movie with a friend not knowing anything about the plot. But from the opening scene you begin to realize that this is gonna be good. I mean really good. It has an incredible cast, awesome effects, multiple deep plots, suspense, twists and turns, and several unexpected outcomes as you watch from the edge of your seat.
Then comes the big finale. The main character is dramatically killed, but the credits don't appear just yet. Then in a shocking sixth sense-like surprise, he comes back to life with approximately 2 minutes to go in the film! Normally that would be awesome, except that you now only have about 90 seconds to actually process what just happened, for good to conquer evil, and for all loose ends to be tied up nicely. Good luck.
But that's exactly how the story of Jesus episode one ends both here and elsewhere. We see Jesus alive with His disciples after His horrific and very public execution. But there are so many questions left unanswered.
"Jesus, what does all this mean?"
"Jesus, since you now have all power in heaven and earth, are we going to go storm the Sanhedrin?"
"Jesus, what about Judas?"
"Jesus, where are we going next?"
(insert another 1000 questions here).
But then like a very brief presidential news conference, Jesus takes no questions but instead delivers a 3 sentence statement of final instructions to His disciples. The End.
Really?
That's all you got?
How are you gonna leave out the part about Jesus flying up into the stratosphere like Neo at the end of the Matrix? Are you really gonna leave out a hint of a sequel with a clear allusion to the coming of the Holy Spirit? And what about Pilate? Herod? Rome? The Pharisees?
Worst Ending Ever.
Unless, of course that's not the end; which thankfully it certainly is not. Like any good movie series, there will always be a sequel; and like any good playwright, you can be sure that God will certainly wrap up the greatest story ever told in a blaze of glory (just glance at Revelation).
The great thing about the Bible is that the entire story fits perfectly together from beginning to end. Because all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), we know that God, the great inspiring author, does not disappoint.
So in the event that you ever find yourself reading the Bible and still wanting more, I've got good news (literally). Just keep reading. It gets better. Don't be one of the many millions who die in the desert of Leviticus or go stir crazy drudging your way through the gloom and doom of the Prophets. Just hang in there. It's about to get really good.
If you've ever had a great movie ruined by a terrible ending, this post is dedicated to you.
From beginning to end, the life Jesus recorded in the gospels is the most fascinating story ever written. That is until the very end. If I'm being honest, and I usually am, I hate the ending of the gospels because it never really wraps things up.
For instance, let's suppose that you went to see a movie with a friend not knowing anything about the plot. But from the opening scene you begin to realize that this is gonna be good. I mean really good. It has an incredible cast, awesome effects, multiple deep plots, suspense, twists and turns, and several unexpected outcomes as you watch from the edge of your seat.
Then comes the big finale. The main character is dramatically killed, but the credits don't appear just yet. Then in a shocking sixth sense-like surprise, he comes back to life with approximately 2 minutes to go in the film! Normally that would be awesome, except that you now only have about 90 seconds to actually process what just happened, for good to conquer evil, and for all loose ends to be tied up nicely. Good luck.
But that's exactly how the story of Jesus episode one ends both here and elsewhere. We see Jesus alive with His disciples after His horrific and very public execution. But there are so many questions left unanswered.
"Jesus, what does all this mean?"
"Jesus, since you now have all power in heaven and earth, are we going to go storm the Sanhedrin?"
"Jesus, what about Judas?"
"Jesus, where are we going next?"
(insert another 1000 questions here).
But then like a very brief presidential news conference, Jesus takes no questions but instead delivers a 3 sentence statement of final instructions to His disciples. The End.
Really?
That's all you got?
How are you gonna leave out the part about Jesus flying up into the stratosphere like Neo at the end of the Matrix? Are you really gonna leave out a hint of a sequel with a clear allusion to the coming of the Holy Spirit? And what about Pilate? Herod? Rome? The Pharisees?
Worst Ending Ever.
Unless, of course that's not the end; which thankfully it certainly is not. Like any good movie series, there will always be a sequel; and like any good playwright, you can be sure that God will certainly wrap up the greatest story ever told in a blaze of glory (just glance at Revelation).
The great thing about the Bible is that the entire story fits perfectly together from beginning to end. Because all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), we know that God, the great inspiring author, does not disappoint.
So in the event that you ever find yourself reading the Bible and still wanting more, I've got good news (literally). Just keep reading. It gets better. Don't be one of the many millions who die in the desert of Leviticus or go stir crazy drudging your way through the gloom and doom of the Prophets. Just hang in there. It's about to get really good.
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