Trinity Sunday yr. A, May 31, 2026
New Covenant, Matthew 28:16-20
“On the Fence”
Chapter 28 is the last chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. The chapter opens with the two Mary’s arriving at Jesus’ tomb on the first Easter and it closes with the four verses that serve as our lesson this morning. At the beginning of the chapter, the two women find the tomb empty. They meet an angel who tells them that Jesus has been raised, and they should hurry and tell his disciples, he’ll be waiting for them in Galilee. We read that they are a little afraid, but also excited and they do as instructed. Along the way, they meet Jesus. They grab ahold of him. They worship him and he also tells them to tell the disciples; he’s going to Galilee and will see them there.
Notice the difference in the reaction by the women, compared to the reaction by some of the disciples in our reading today. When the women meet Jesus, they grab ahold of him and worship him. They are certain that it is Jesus. The disciples on the other hand, when they meet Jesus, they worship Jesus too. But notice, some of them also have their doubts.
Time for a little B.S, time for a little Bible study. There are two Greek words that are translated into English as, “Doubt.” One of those words describes Thomas’ reaction to the news of the resurrection. It literally means, “Unbelief.” Thomas says, “I won’t believe unless I put my finger in the nail holes and my hand in his side.” And Jesus responds saying, “No more doubting. No more unbelief, believe.”
The other Greek word translated into English as, “Doubt,” literally means, “To waver, to be unsure, to be on the fence.” It is the word that is used here, in verse 17 and in the story of Peter trying to walk on water. After saving him from drowning, Jesus says, “Peter, why did you doubt? Why did you waver? Why were you unsure? It is also the word used here to describe the reaction of some disciples to meeting the risen Jesus. They’re not like Thomas. They’re not totally unbelieving. They’re like Peter. Some of them are on the fence. Some of them are wavering. Yet Jesus sends them out, to make more disciples, doubts and all.
Notice, Jesus doesn’t send them out to perform baptisms. He is not seeking converts. He’s seeking disciples. He’s seeking students. He’s seeking pupils. He’s seeking those who will live their lives according to his teachings. Baptism is simply a part of the process to leave the old behind and start anew. He sends them out to make disciples, disciples of all the nations. They are not just sent locally, but globally. Their mission is all inclusive, no one, anywhere is excluded.
This commission on the mountain occurs soon after the resurrection. It occurs several weeks before the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Yet, they are already being told that this is a mission to all the nations. Even before they receive the ability to speak other languages, they are told that this will be a global mission. This mission will be multilingual and multicultural. Even before the birth of the church, Jesus’ disciples are told that for the church to grow; all racial, cultural, language and status barriers must be torn down.
In our lesson, the disciples meet the risen Jesus in Galilee. They immediately worship him, but some of them have their doubts. Even some who experience the resurrection firsthand don’t exhibit perfect faith. But it’s not angels or perfect disciples that Jesus sends out. It’s people just like us. It is the worshiping community of imperfect people that Jesus sends out and all along our journeys, Jesus promises, “I will be with you every day.” Amen.