Shinjuku station in downtown Tokyo is the busiest train station in the world. It is reported that in 2008, 3.86 million people passed through that station each day3 That’s about two college football stadiums full of people every hour of every day of the year. If you get off at Shinjuku station during rush hour, you don’t decide which exit you’ll use. It’s decided for you by the flow of the people. You are literally carried along by the crowd. In the same way, society pressures people to “go with the flow.” Traditions and belief systems dictate how they should live. Anyone who rejects those systems is “less than a real member of society.” Yet in many respects this is exactly what the gospel calls people to do. Conversion means turning away from something and toward something else. It’s like stepping off a train and struggling against the crowd towards a different exit. A flashy billboard might inspire or a cool song might motivate, but most people need a person to come alongside them. They need someone who understands to help them turn against the flow of their family, village, and society. That is what Jesus calls us to do—to help people around the world turn against the flow and towards the hope and future that is found only in Jesus.

During the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and His return to heaven, Jesus gave specific instructions on five different occasions to the disciples (and all His followers). These final instructions were not random. They were not scattered thoughts on a variety of topics. They were focused, built on one another, and set the direction for generations of Christ followers.

Jesus began in John 20:21 by explaining that just as the Father had sent Him, now He was SENDING US. Then in Mark 16:15 He made it clear that everyone, ALL OF CREATION, needs to hear of who He is and what He’s done. Matthew 28:18-20 states that our lives should focus on DISCIPLE-MAKING. Now in Luke 24:44-49, Jesus emphasizes the content of that disciple-making; “REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENES OF SINS will be preached in His name to all nations….”

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